Pharmaceutical composition for treating cancer

ABSTRACT

Therapeutic compounds containing a phenyl core and amide link(s). Also described are pharmaceutical compositions incorporating the therapeutic compounds and a method for treating cancer with the compounds. These compounds are cytotoxic to stomach, colon, breast, and leukemia cancer cell lines via dual inhibition of Src kinases and tubulin.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a Divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.17/191,818, pending, having a filing date of Mar. 4, 2021 which is aDivision of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/431,291, now U.S. Pat. No.10,988,439, having a filing date of Jun. 4, 2019.

STATEMENT OF FUNDING ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This project was funded by the Deanship of Scientific Research (DSR),King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, undergrant number RG-1-166-39.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a family of therapeutic compoundshaving a phenyl core and amide link(s). A pharmaceutical compositioncontaining the compounds and a method for treating cancer are alsodisclosed.

Description of the Related Art

The “background” description provided herein is for the purpose ofgenerally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of thepresently named inventors, to the extent it is described in thisbackground section, as well as aspects of the description which may nototherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neitherexpressly or impliedly admitted as prior art against the presentinvention.

The abnormal expression of protein tyrosine kinases (PTK) leads to cellproliferation disorder and is associated with tumor invasion,metastasis, and angiogenesis. Consequently, a variety of PTKs have beenused as targets for screening anti-tumor drugs [Drake, J. M.; Lee, J.K.; Witte, O. N., Clinical targeting of mutated and wild-type proteintyrosine kinases in cancer. Molecular and cellular biology 2014, 34(10), 1722-32]. Currently, all PTK inhibitors that are clinicallyavailable are those that occupy ATP pockets. Since ATP is inherentlyconcentrated (mM) in cells, large quantities of the inhibitor must bedelivered to ATP pockets to achieve adequate selectivity and affinity. Apractical and under-utilized approach is to develop kinase inhibitorsthat bind to the substrate site. This approach might be effectivebecause each kinase is specific to a unique peptide sequence.

The Src family of kinase enzymes (SFK) are non-receptor tyrosine kinasesessential in signaling machinery [Guo, W.; Giancotti, F. G., Integrinsignalling during tumour progression. Nature reviews Molecular cellbiology 2004, 5 (10), 816]. Members of SFKs include Src, Yes, Fyn, Fgr,Lck, Hck, Blk, Yrk, and Lyn. SFKs are important for fundamental cellularprocesses such as cell growth, functions, survival, proliferation,differentiation, and migration [Lieu, C.; Kopetz, S., The SRC family ofprotein tyrosine kinases: a new and promising target for colorectalcancer therapy. Clinical colorectal cancer 2010, 9 (2), 89-94]. Aberrantactivities of SFKs have been linked to a variety of cancers includingthose of the prostate, breast, colon, lungs, pancreas, brain,melanocytes and bone marrow [Frame, M. C.; Roskoski, R., Src FamilyTyrosine Kinases. In Reference Module in Life Sciences, Elsevier: 2017].Inhibitors of Src kinases such as dasatinib, bosutinib, saracatinib,KX-01, and KX-02 have been recently developed [Elsberger, B.; Stewart,B.; Tatarov, O.; Edwards, J., Is Src a viable target for treating solidtumours? Current cancer drug targets 2010, 10 (7), 683-694; Rothschild,S. I.; Gautschi, O.; Haura, E. B.; Johnson, F. M., Src inhibitors inlung cancer: current status and future directions. Clinical lung cancer2010, 11 (4), 238-42; and Smolinski, M. P.; Bu, Y.; Clements, J.;Gelman, I. H.; Hegab, T.; Cutler, D. L.; Fang, J. W. S.; Fetterly, G.;Kwan, R.; Barnett, A.; Lau, J. Y. N.; Hangauer, D. G., Discovery ofNovel Dual Mechanism of Action Src Signaling and Tubulin PolymerizationInhibitors (KX2-391 and KX2-361). Journal of medicinal chemistry 2018,61 (11), 4704-4719, each incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety]. In particular, KX-01 and KX-02 developed by Athenex possessintriguing biological mechanisms against cancer cells. In addition toSrc inhibition, these two compounds also prevent cancer cell divisionvia interference with tubulin [Tu, C.; Li, J.; Bu, Y.; Hangauer, D.; Qu,J., An ion-current-based, comprehensive and reproducible proteomicstrategy for comparative characterization of the cellular responses tonovel anticancer agents in a prostate cell model. Journal of proteomics2012, 77, 187-201; and Anbalagan, M.; Ali, A.; Jones, R. K.; Marsden, C.G.; Sheng, M.; Carrier, L.; Bu, Y.; Hangauer, D.; Rowan, B. G.,Peptidomimetic Src/pretubulin inhibitor KX-01 alone and in combinationwith paclitaxel suppresses growth, metastasis in humanER/PR/HER2-negative tumor xenografts. Molecular cancer therapeutics2012, 11 (9), 1936-1947, each incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety]. Despite these efforts there is still a need to develop moreeffective non-ATP competitive inhibitors as anticancer agents.

In view of the forgoing, one objective of the present disclosure is toprovide therapeutic compounds with antiproliferative activities, apharmaceutical composition comprising thereof, and a method for treatingcancer.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect, the present disclosure relates to acompound of formula

or a salt thereof, a solvate thereof, a tautomer thereof, a stereoisomerthereof, or a mixture thereof, wherein (i) R₁ is an optionallysubstituted aryl, or an optionally substituted heteroaryl, (ii) R₂ isselected from the group consisting of an optionally substituted alkyl,an optionally substituted cycloalkyl, an optionally substitutedarylalkyl, an optionally substituted aryl, and an optionally substitutedheteroaryl, (iii) R₃, R₄, R₅, and R₆ are independently selected from thegroup consisting of a hydrogen, an optionally substituted alkyl, and anoptionally substituted cycloalkyl, (iv) A is .—C(O)—. or .—S(O)₂—., and(v) n is an integer in a range of 1-3.

In one embodiment, R₁ is selected from the group consisting of phenyl,p-methoxyphenyl, p-fluorophenyl, and 2-furanyl.

In one embodiment, R₁ is phenyl.

In one embodiment, R₂ is an optionally substituted alkyl, or anoptionally substituted phenyl.

In one embodiment, R₂ is selected from the group consisting of methyl,ethyl, phenyl, p-aminophenyl, p-chlorophenyl, m-chlorophenyl,m-fluorophenyl, p-methylphenyl,

In one embodiment, R₂ is selected from the group consisting of ethyl,phenyl, m-chlorophenyl, m-fluorophenyl, and

In one embodiment, A is .—C(O)—.

In one embodiment, R₁ is phenyl, and R₂ is selected from the groupconsisting of ethyl, phenyl, m-chlorophenyl, m-fluorophenyl, and

In one embodiment, R₃, R₄, R₅, R₆ are hydrogen.

In one embodiment, n is 1.

In one embodiment, the compound of formula (I) of the first aspect isselected from the group consisting of

According to a second aspect, the present disclosure relates to apharmaceutical composition involving the compound of formula (I) of thefirst aspect, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/orexcipient.

In one embodiment, the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/orexcipient is at least one selected from the group consisting of abuffer, an inorganic salt, a fatty acid, a vegetable oil, a syntheticfatty ester, a surfactant, and a polymer.

In one embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition contains 0.1-90 wt %of the compound of formula (I) relative to a total weight of thepharmaceutical composition.

In one embodiment, the compound of formula (I) is selected from thegroup consisting of

According to a third aspect, the present disclosure relates to a methodfor treating a proliferative disorder. The method involves administeringthe pharmaceutical composition of the second aspect to a subject in needof therapy.

In one embodiment, 0.1-200 mg/kg of the compound of formula (I) isadministered per body weight of the subject.

In one embodiment, the proliferative disorder is cancer.

In one embodiment, the cancer is at least one selected from the groupconsisting of breast cancer, stomach cancer, colon cancer, and leukemia.

In one embodiment, the subject is a mammal.

The foregoing paragraphs have been provided by way of generalintroduction, and are not intended to limit the scope of the followingclaims. The described embodiments, together with further advantages,will be best understood by reference to the following detaileddescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the disclosure and many of the attendantadvantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes betterunderstood by reference to the following detailed description whenconsidered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic summary of the design of compounds of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 2 is a scheme illustrating the design of KAC series viare-scaffolding of KX series.

FIG. 3 is a scheme illustrating the synthesis of KAC series.

FIG. 4 is a scheme illustrating the synthesis of starting materials 6a,6b, and 6c as well as KAC compounds KAC-02, KAC-03, and KAC-04.

FIG. 5 is a scheme illustrating the synthesis of starting materials 8a,8b, and 8c as well as KAC compounds KAC-05, KAC-06, and KAC-07.

FIG. 6 shows a list of KAC compounds.

FIG. 7A is a bar graph summarizing the effect of KAC-12 on differentcell cycle stages of HL-60 cells.

FIG. 7B shows different cell cycle stages of HL-60 cells upon treatmentof blank control (in the absence of KAC-12).

FIG. 7C shows different cell cycle stages of HL-60 cells upon treatmentof KAC-12 at a concentration of 3.74 μM.

FIG. 7D shows different cell cycle stages of HL-60 cells upon treatmentof KAC-12 at a concentration of 7.49 μM.

FIG. 8A is a bar graph summarizing the effect of KAC-12 on apoptosis inHL-60 cells.

FIG. 8B is a histogram showing caspase-3 activity of HL-60 cells upontreatment of blank control (in the absence of KAC-12) for 24 hours.

FIG. 8C is a histogram showing caspase-3 activity of HL-60 cells upontreatment of blank control (in the absence of KAC-12) for 48 hours.

FIG. 8D is a histogram showing caspase-3 activity of HL-60 cells upontreatment of KAC-12 at a concentration of 3.74 μM for 24 hours.

FIG. 8E is a histogram showing caspase-3 activity of HL-60 cells upontreatment of KAC-12 at a concentration of 3.74 μM for 48 hours.

FIG. 8F is a histogram showing caspase-3 activity of HL-60 cells upontreatment of KAC-12 at a concentration of 7.49 μM for 24 hours.

FIG. 8G is a histogram showing caspase-3 activity of HL-60 cells upontreatment of KAC-12 at a concentration of 7.49 μM for 48 hours.

FIG. 9 is a bar graph summarizing cell cycle analysis that shows G2/Marrest in HCT-116 cells upon treatment of control (0.01% DMSO), andKAC-3 at concentrations of 5 and 10 respectively, for 24 hours.

FIG. 10 is a bar graph summarizing cell cycle analysis that shows G2/Marrest followed by apoptosis in HCT-116 cells upon treatment of control(0.01% DMSO), and KAC-3 at concentrations of 5 μM and 10 respectively,for 48 hours.

FIG. 11 is a bar graph summarizing cell cycle analysis that showsapoptosis in HCT-16 cells upon treatment of control (0.01% DMSO), andPaclitaxel at a concentration of 1 μM for 24 and 48 hours, respectively.

FIG. 12 is a bar graph summarizing cell cycle analysis that showsapoptosis in HCT-16 cells upon treatment of control (0.01% DMSO), andImatinib at a concentration of 1 for 24 and 48 hours, respectively.

FIG. 13 is a ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrum of compoundKAC-01 in DMSO-d₆.

FIG. 14 is a ¹H NMR spectrum of compound KAC-03 in DMSO-d₆.

FIG. 15 is a ¹H NMR spectrum of compound KAC-04 in DMSO-d₆.

FIG. 16 is a ¹H NMR spectrum of compound KAC-07 in DMSO-d₆.

FIG. 17 is a ¹H NMR spectrum of compound KAC-08 in DMSO-d₆.

FIG. 18 is a ¹³C NMR spectrum of compound KAC-08 in DMSO-d₆.

FIG. 19 is a ¹H NMR spectrum of compound KAC-09 in DMSO-d₆.

FIG. 20 is a ¹H NMR spectrum of compound KAC-10 in DMSO-d₆.

FIG. 21 is a ¹³C NMR spectrum of compound KAC-10 in DMSO-d₆.

FIG. 22 is a ¹H NMR spectrum of compound KAC-12 in DMSO-d₆.

FIG. 23 is a ¹³C NMR spectrum of compound KAC-12 in DMSO-d₆.

FIG. 24 is a ¹H NMR spectrum of compound KAC-13 in DMSO-d₆.

FIG. 25 is a ¹³C NMR spectrum of compound KAC-13 in DMSO-d₆.

FIG. 26 is a ¹H NMR spectrum of compound KAC-15 in DMSO-d₆.

FIG. 27 is a ¹³C NMR spectrum of compound KAC-15 in DMSO-d₆.

FIG. 28 is a ¹H NMR spectrum of compound KAC-16 in DMSO-d₆.

FIG. 29 is a ¹³C NMR spectrum of compound KAC-16 in DMSO-d₆.

FIG. 30 is a ¹H NMR spectrum of compound KAC-17 in DMSO-d₆.

FIG. 31 is a ¹³C NMR spectrum of compound KAC-17 in DMSO-d₆.

FIG. 32 is a ¹H NMR spectrum of compound KAC-18 in DMSO-d₆.

FIG. 33 is a ¹³C NMR spectrum of compound KAC-18 in DMSO-d₆.

FIG. 34 shows the cytotoxicity of compound KAC-12 against H60 leukemiacell line.

FIG. 35A shows the cytotoxicity of compound KAC-09 against N87 stomachcancer cells.

FIG. 35B shows the reproducibility of the cytotoxicity tests of compoundKAC-09 against N87 stomach cancer cells.

FIG. 36A shows the cytotoxicity of compound KAC-03 against N87 stomachcancer cells.

FIG. 36B shows the reproducibility of the cytotoxicity tests of compoundKAC-03 against N87 stomach cancer cells.

FIG. 37 shows the cytotoxicity of compound KAC-04 against N87 stomachcancer cells.

FIG. 38 shows the cytotoxicity of compound KAC-03 against HCT116 coloncancer cell line.

FIG. 39 shows the cytotoxicity of compound KAC-01 against MCF7 breastcancer cell line.

FIG. 40 shows the cytotoxicity of compound KAC-02 against MCF7 breastcancer cell line.

FIG. 41 shows the cytotoxicity of compound KAC-03 against MCF7 breastcancer cell line.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described more fullyhereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some,but not all embodiments of the disclosure are shown.

As used herein, the words “a” and “an” and the like carry the meaning of“one or more”. Within the description of this disclosure, where anumerical limit or range is stated, the endpoints are included unlessstated otherwise. Also, all values and subranges within a numericallimit or range are specifically included as if explicitly written out.

As used herein, the terms “compound”, “complex”, and “product” are usedinterchangeably, and are intended to refer to a chemical entity, whetherin the solid, liquid or gaseous phase, and whether in a crude mixture orpurified and isolated.

As used herein, the term “solvate” refers to a physical association of acompound of this disclosure with one or more solvent molecules, whetherorganic or inorganic. This physical association includes hydrogenbonding. In certain instances, the solvate will be capable of isolation,for example when one or more solvent molecules are incorporated in thecrystal lattice of the crystalline solid. The solvent molecules in thesolvate may be present in a regular arrangement and/or a non-orderedarrangement. The solvate may comprise either a stoichiometric ornonstoichiometric amount of the solvent molecules. Solvate encompassesboth solution phase and isolable solvates. Exemplary solvents include,but are not limited to, water, methanol, ethanol, n-propanol,isopropanol, n-butanol, isobutanol, tert-butanol, ethyl acetate andother lower alkanols, glycerine, acetone, dichloromethane (DCM),dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), dimethyl acetate (DMA), dimethylformamide(DMF), isopropyl ether, acetonitrile, toluene, N-methylpyrrolidone(NMP), tetrahydrofuran (THF), tetrahydropyran, other cyclic mono-, di-and tri-ethers, polyalkylene glycols (e.g. polyethylene glycol,polypropylene glycol, propylene glycol), and mixtures thereof insuitable proportions. Exemplary solvates include, but are not limitedto, hydrates, ethanolates, methanolates, isopropanolates and mixturesthereof. Methods of solvation are generally known to those of ordinaryskill in the art.

As used herein, the term “tautomer” refers to constitutional isomers oforganic compounds that readily convert by tautomerization ortautomerism. The interconversion commonly results in the formalmigration of a hydrogen atom or proton, accompanied by a switch of asingle bond and adjacent double bond. Tautomerism is a special case ofstructural isomerism, and because of the rapid interconversion,tautomers are generally considered to be the same chemical compound. Insolutions in which tautomerization is possible, a chemical equilibriumof the tautomers will be reached. The exact ratio of the tautomersdepends on several factors including, but not limited to, temperature,solvent and pH. Exemplary common tautomeric pairs include, but are notlimited to, ketone and enol, enamine and imine, ketene and ynol, nitrosoand oxime, amide and imidic acid, lactam and lactim (an amide and imidictautomerism in heterocyclic rings), and open-chain and cyclic forms ofan acetal or hemiacetal (e.g., in reducing sugars).

As used herein, the term “stereoisomer” refers to isomeric moleculesthat have the same molecular formula and sequence of bonded atoms (i.e.constitution), but differ in the three-dimensional orientations of theiratoms in space. This contrasts with structural isomers, which share thesame molecular formula, but the bond connection of their order differs.By definition, molecules that are stereoisomers of each other representthe same structural isomer. Enantiomers are two stereoisomers that arerelated to each other by reflection, they are non-superimposable mirrorimages. Every stereogenic center in one has the opposite configurationin the other. Two compounds that are enantiomers of each other have thesame physical properties, except for the direction in which they rotatepolarized light and how they interact with different optical isomers ofother compounds. Diastereomers are stereoisomers not related through areflection operation, they are not mirror images of each other. Theseinclude meso compounds, cis- and trans- (E- and Z-) isomers, andnon-enantiomeric optical isomers. Diastereomers seldom have the samephysical properties. In terms of the present disclosure, stereoisomersmay refer to enantiomers, diastereomers, or both.

Conformers, rotamers, or conformational isomerism refers to a form ofisomerism that describes the phenomenon of molecules with the samestructural formula but with different shapes due to rotations around oneor more bonds. Different conformations can have different energies, canusually interconvert, and are very rarely isolatable. There are somemolecules that can be isolated in several conformations. Atropisomersare stereoisomers resulting from hindered rotation about single bondswhere the steric strain barrier to rotation is high enough to allow forthe isolation of the conformers. In terms of the present disclosure,stereoisomers may refer to conformers, atropisomers, or both.

In terms of the present disclosure, stereoisomers of the ring systems,stereogenic centers, and the like can all be present in the compounds,and all such stable isomers are contemplated in the present disclosure.S- and R- (or L- and D-) stereoisomers of the compounds of the presentdisclosure are described and may be isolated as a mixture of isomers oras separated isomeric forms. All processes or methods used to preparecompounds of the present disclosure and intermediates made therein areconsidered to be part of the present disclosure. When stereoisomericproducts are prepared, they may be separated by conventional methods,for example, by chromatography, fractional crystallization, or use of achiral agent.

As used herein, the term “alkyl” unless otherwise specified refers toboth branched and straight chain saturated aliphatic primary, secondary,and/or tertiary hydrocarbons of typically C₁ to C₂₁, for example C₁, C₂,C₃, C₄, C₅, C₆, C₇, C₈, C₉, C₁₀, C₁₁, C₁₂, C₁₃, C₁₄, and specificallyincludes, but is not limited to, methyl, trifluoromethyl, ethyl, propyl,isopropyl, cyclopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, t-butyl, pentyl, cyclopentyl,isopentyl, neopentyl, hexyl, isohexyl, cyclohexyl, cyclohexylmethyl,3-methylpentyl, 2,2-dimethylbutyl, 2,3-dimethylbutyl, 2-ethylhexyl,heptyl, octyl, nonyl, 3,7-dimethyloctyl, decyl, undecyl, dodecyl,tridecyl, 2-propylheptyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl, hexadecyl, heptadecyl,octadecyl, nonadecyl, and eicosyl.

The term “cycloalkyl” refers to cyclized alkyl groups. Exemplarycycloalkyl groups include, but are not limited to, cyclopropyl,cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, norbornyl, and adamantyl. Branchedcycloalkyl groups such as exemplary 1-methylcyclopropyl and2-methylcyclopropyl groups are included in the definition of cycloalkylas used in the present disclosure.

The term “arylalkyl”, as used herein, refers to a straight or branchedchain alkyl moiety having 1 to 8 carbon atoms that is substituted by anaryl group as defined herein, and includes, but is not limited to,benzyl, phenethyl, 2-methylbenzyl, 3-methylbenzyl, 4-methylbenzyl,2,4-dimethylbenzyl, 2-(4-ethylphenyl)ethyl, 3-(3-propylphenyl)propyl,and the like.

The term “aryl”, as used herein, and unless otherwise specified, refersto phenyl, biphenyl, naphthyl, anthracenyl, and the like.

The term “heteroaryl” refers to an aryl group where at least one carbonatom is replaced with a heteroatom (e.g. nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur) andcan be indolyl, furanyl, imidazolyl, triazolyl, triazinyl, oxazolyl,isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, pyrazolyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazinyl,tetrazolyl, pyridyl (or its N-oxide), thienyl, pyrimidinyl (or itsN-oxide), 1H-indolyl, isoquinolyl (or its N-oxide), or quinolyl (or itsN-oxide), for example.

The term “halogen”, as used herein, means fluoro, chloro, bromo andiodo.

As used herein, the term “substituted” refers to at least one hydrogenatom that is replaced with a non-hydrogen group, provided that normalvalencies are maintained and that the substitution results in a stablecompound. When a substituent is noted as “optionally substituted”, thesubstituents are selected from halo, hydroxyl, alkoxy, oxo, alkanoyl,aryloxy, alkanoyloxy, amino, alkylamino, arylamino, arylalkylamino,disubstituted amines (e.g. in which the two amino substituents areselected from the exemplary group including, but not limited to, alkyl,aryl or arylalkyl), alkanoylamino, aroylamino, aralkanoylamino,substituted alkanoylamino, substituted arylamino, substitutedaralkanoylamino, thiol, alkylthio, arylthio, arylalkylthio, alkylthiono,arylthiono, aryalkylthiono, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl,arylalkylsulfonyl, sulfonamide (e.g. —SO₂NH₂), substituted sulfonamide,nitro, cyano, carboxy, unsubstituted amide (i.e. —CONH₂), substitutedamide (e.g. —CONHalkyl, —CONHaryl, —CONHarylalkyl or cases where thereare two substituents on one nitrogen from alkyl, aryl, or alkylalkyl),alkoxycarbonyl, aryl, substituted aryl, guanidine, heterocyclyl (e.g.indolyl, imidazoyl, furyl, thienyl, thiazolyl, pyrrolidyl, pyridyl,pyrimidiyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, morpholinyl, piperazinyl,homopiperazinyl and the like), substituted heterocyclyl and mixturesthereof. The substituents may themselves be optionally substituted, andmay be either unprotected, or protected as necessary, as known to thoseskilled in the art, for example, as taught in Greene, et al.,“Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis”, John Wiley and Sons, SecondEdition, 1991, hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The term “amide”, as used herein, and unless otherwise specified, refersto an amide that is unsustituted (—C(O)NH₂), optionally monosubstituted(—C(O)NHR_(a)), or disubstituted (—C(O)NR_(a)R_(b)), where R_(a) andR_(b) are independently an optionally substituted alkyl, an optionallysubstituted cycloalkyl, an optionally substituted arylalkyl, or anoptionally substituted aryl.

Disubstituted amides which are cyclic disubstituted amides are alsocontemplated as part of the disubstituted amide family, where R_(a) andR_(b) together form a cyclic ring with the nitrogen atom to which theyare attached, thereby forming for example a 3-membered, 4-membered,5-membered, 6-membered, 7-membered, or 8-membered ring. Exemplary cyclicdisubstituted amides include, but are not limited to, N-pyrrolidylamide

N-piperidinylamide

4-methylpiperidinylamide

morpholinylamide

piperazinylamide

(N-methyl)piperazinylamide

and homopiperazinylamide

According to a first aspect, the present disclosure relates to acompound of formula (I)

or a salt thereof, a solvate thereof, a tautomer thereof, a stereoisomerthereof, or a mixture thereof.

R₁ is an optionally substituted aryl, or an optionally substitutedheteroaryl. Examples of R₁ include, but are not limited to, phenyl,p-methoxyphenyl, o-methoxyphenyl, p-fluorophenyl, o-fluorophenyl,p-chlorophenyl, o-chlorophenyl, p-bromophenyl, o-bromophenyl,4-cyanophenyl, 2-furanyl, 2-thienyl, 3-methyl-2-thienyl,3-methyl-2-pyridinyl, and 4-methyl-2-pyridinyl. In preferredembodiments, R₁ is selected from the group consisting of phenyl,p-methoxyphenyl, p-fluorophenyl, and 2-furanyl. In a most preferredembodiment, R₁ is phenyl.

R₂ is selected from the group consisting of an optionally substitutedalkyl, an optionally substituted cycloalkyl, an optionally substitutedarylalkyl, an optionally substituted aryl, and an optionally substitutedheteroaryl.

In one embodiment, R₂ is an optionally substituted alkyl. In a preferredembodiment, R₂ is an unsubstituted alkyl, preferably a linear alkyl,preferably a linear C₁₋₈ alkyl, preferably a linear C₂₋₆ alkyl,preferably a linear C₃₋₄ alkyl. The carbon counts described hereinrefers to a number of carbon atoms of the alkyl group of R₂ whichexcludes the carbon atoms of optionally present substituents. Exemplarylinear alkyls include, but are not limited to methyl, ethyl, n-propyl,n-butyl, n-pentyl, n-hexyl, n-heptyl, and n-octyl. Alternatively, R₂ isa branched alkyl, such as isopropyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, isobutyl,tert-butyl, isopentyl, neopentyl, and isohexyl. In a most preferredembodiment, R₂ is methyl, or ethyl.

In another embodiment, R₂ is an optionally substituted phenyl. Thephenyl of R₂ may be substituted with at least one substituent selectedfrom the group consisting of a halogen, an alkyl, an amide, and anoptionally substituted phenyl. In a preferred embodiment, the phenyl ofR₂ is meta-substituted with at least one halogen such as a chloro, afluoro, and a bromo. In another preferred embodiment, the phenyl of R₂is ortho-substituted with at least one disubstituted amide, such asN,N-dimethylamide, N,N-diethylamide, pyrrolidylamide

piperidinylamide

4-methylpiperidinylamide

morpholinylamide

piperazinylamide

(N-methyl)piperazinylamide

and homopiperazinylamide

In another preferred embodiment, the phenyl of R₂ is ortho-substitutedwith at least one substituted phenyl, preferably a phenyl that isortho-substituted with at least one of the aforementioned disubstitutedamides, such as N,N-dimethylamide, N,N-diethylamide, pyrrolidylamide

piperidinylamide

4-Methylpipeliumyiamme

morpholinylamide

piperazinylamide

(N-methyl)piperazinylamide

and homopiperazinylamide

Alternatively, the phenyl of R₂ is unsubstituted.

In a preferred embodiment, R₂ is selected from the group consisting ofmethyl, ethyl, phenyl, p-aminophenyl, p-chlorophenyl, m-chlorophenyl,m-fluorophenyl, p-methylphenyl,

In a most preferred embodiment, R₂ is selected from the group consistingof ethyl, phenyl, m-chlorophenyl, m-fluorophenyl, and

R₃, R₄, R₅, and R₆ are independently selected from the group consistingof a hydrogen, an optionally substituted alkyl, and an optionallysubstituted cycloalkyl. In one or more embodiments, R₃ and R₄ areindependently a hydrogen or an optionally substituted C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₂₋₅alkyl, or a C₃₋₄ alkyl. In one embodiment, R₃ and R₄ are the same. Inanother embodiment, R₃ and R₄ are different. In one or more embodiments,R₅ and R₆ are independently a hydrogen or an optionally substituted C₁₋₆alkyl, C₂₋₅ alkyl, or a C₃₋₄ alkyl. In one embodiment, R₅ and R₆ are thesame. In another embodiment, R₅ and R₆ are different. In a mostpreferred embodiment, R₃, R₄, R₅, R₆ are a hydrogen.

A may be .—C(O)—. or .—S(O)₂—. In a preferred embodiment, A is .—C(O)—.

As used herein, the value of n denotes an alkyl chain of —CR₅R₆— groupsconnected between R₁ and amide groups of the compound of formula (I). Inone or more embodiments, n is an integer in a range of 1-6, preferably2-5, preferably 3-4. Preferably, n is 1 or 2. Most preferably, n is 1.

In some embodiments, the compound of formula (I) is one or more of thefollowing structures:

In at least one embodiment, R₁ is phenyl, and R₂ is selected from thegroup consisting of ethyl, phenyl, m-chlorophenyl, m-fluorophenyl, and

In a most preferred embodiment, the compound of formula (I) is selectedfrom the group consisting of

The compounds of the present disclosure may be prepared by methods knownto those of ordinary skills in the art. The following methods set forthbelow are provided for illustrative purposes and are not intended tolimit the scope of the disclosure.

The compounds of formula (I) may, for example, be synthesized accordingto a process illustrated in FIG. 3.

Briefly, the compounds may be formed via (i) a reaction between anitrophenyl compound of formula (II)

or a salt, solvate, tautomer or stereoisomer thereof, with a reagentsuch as oxalyl chloride, thionyl chloride, phosphorus trichloride(POCl₃), and phosphorous pentachloride (POCl₅) to form an acyl chloridecompound of formula (III)

or a salt, solvate, tautomer or stereoisomer thereof, wherein R₃ and R₄are as previously specified, or via any other activated acyl chemistryknown to those of ordinary skill (e.g., anhydride, acyl bromide, etc.);(ii) a first amidation reaction between the acyl group of compound offormula (III) and an amine of formula (IV)

or a salt, solvate, or stereoisomer thereof, in the presence of a base,to form a nitrophenyl amide of formula (V)

or a salt, solvate, tautomer or stereoisomer thereof, wherein R₁, R₅,R₆, and n are as previously specified; (iii) a reduction reaction of thenitrophenyl amide of formula (V) using a reducing reagent, therebyforming an aminophenyl amide of formula (VI)

or a salt, solvate, tautomer or stereoisomer thereof.

Reduction methods of nitro groups are generally known to those ofordinary skills in the art. Exemplary reducing methods and/or reagentsinclude, but are not limited to, tin(II) chloride, catalytichydrogenation over palladium-on-carbon, Raney nickel, sodium sulfide,iron metal in acetic acid, sodium borohydride, lithium borohydride, andBaker's yeast.

In one embodiment, the R₂ side chain of compound of formula (I) may beincorporated via a second amidation reaction between the amine group ofcompound of formula (VI) and a compound of formula (VII)

or a salt, solvate, or tautomer thereof, in the presence of a base,thereby forming the compound of formula (I), wherein R₂ and A are aspreviously specified.

The aforementioned amidation reactions may be performed at a temperaturein a range of −10-35° C., 0-25° C., or 4-15° C. in a solvent such asmethylene chloride, chloroform, tetrahydrofuran, benzene, xylene,dimethylformamide, ethyl acetate, diethyl ether, acetonitrile, dimethylsulfoxide, nitrobenzene, isopropanol, and mixtures thereof. Preferably,methylene chloride is used as the solvent for the amidation reactions.In a preferred embodiment, a molar ratio of the amine of formula (IV) tothe acyl chloride compound of formula (III) is in a range of 0.7:1 to2:1, preferably 0.9:1 to 1.5:1, or about 1:1. In another preferredembodiment, a molar ratio of the aminophenyl amide of formula (VI) tothe compound of formula (VII) is in a range of 0.7:1 to 2:1, preferably0.9:1 to 1.5:1, or about 1:1.

Exemplary bases that may be used herein for the amidation reactionsinclude, without limitation, inorganic bases such as lithium hydroxide,sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, rubidium hydroxide, and cesiumhydroxide, and organic bases such as trimethylamine, trimethylamine,diisopropylethylamine (DIPEA), triisopropylamine,dimethylaminopropylamine, N-methylmorpholine, N-methylpyrrolidine,4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP), 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene(DBU), and mixtures thereof. Preferably, an inorganic base is usedherein for the amidation. More preferably, DIPEA is used as the base. Inone embodiment, a molar ratio of the base to the respective amine is ina range of 1:1 to 10:1, preferably 2:1 to 8:1, more preferably 4:1 to6:1.

The progress of the reactions may be monitored by methods known to thoseof ordinary skill in the art, such as thin layer chromatography, gaschromatography, nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared spectroscopy, andhigh pressure liquid chromatography combined with ultraviolet detectionor mass spectroscopy. The compounds of formula (I) may be isolated andpurified by methods known to those of ordinary skill in the art, such ascrystallization, filtration through a celite containing cartridge,evaporating the reaction mixture to dryness, aqueous work-up, extractionwith organic solvents, distillation, column chromatography, and highpressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) on normal phase or reversed phase.Preferred methods include column chromatography and recrystallization.

According to a second aspect, the present disclosure relates to apharmaceutical composition involving the compound of formula (I) of thefirst aspect, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/orexcipient.

As used herein, a “composition” or a “pharmaceutical composition” refersto a mixture of the active ingredient with other chemical components,such as pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and excipients. One purposeof a composition is to facilitate administration of the compounddisclosed herein in any of its embodiments to a subject. Pharmaceuticalcompositions of the present disclosure may be manufactured by processeswell known in the art, e.g., by means of conventional mixing,dissolving, granulating, dragee-making, levigating, emulsifying,encapsulating, entrapping or lyophilizing processes. Depending on theintended mode of administration (oral, parenteral, or topical), thecomposition can be in the form of solid, semi-solid or liquid dosageforms, such as tablets, suppositories, pills, capsules, powders,liquids, or suspensions, preferably in unit dosage form suitable forsingle administration of a precise dosage.

The term “active ingredient”, as used herein, refers to an ingredient inthe composition that is biologically active, for example, the compoundrepresented by formula (I), a salt thereof, a solvate thereof, atautomer thereof, a stereoisomer thereof, or any mixtures thereof. Insome embodiments, other active ingredients in addition to the compoundof the current disclosure may be incorporated into a pharmaceuticalcomposition.

In one or more embodiments, the compound of formula (I) is selected fromthe group consisting of

In one embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition comprises 0.1-90 wt %of the compound of formula (I) relative to a total weight of thepharmaceutical composition. In preferred embodiments, the pharmaceuticalcomposition comprises at least 0.01 wt %, at least 0.05 wt %, at least0.1 wt %, at least 0.5 wt %, at least 5 wt %, at least 10 wt %, at least15 wt %, at least 20 wt %, at least 25 wt %, at least 30 wt %, at least35 wt %, at least 40 wt %, at least 45 wt %, at least 50 wt %, at least55 wt %, at least 60 wt %, at least 65 wt %, at least 70 wt %, at least75 wt %, at least 80 wt %, at least 85 wt %, at least 90 wt %, at least95 wt %, at least 99 wt %, or at least 99.9 wt % of the compound offormula (I) relative to a total weight of the pharmaceuticalcomposition. The pharmaceutical composition may contain 0.5-500 μM ofthe compound of formula (I) relative to a total volume of thecomposition, preferably 1-400 μM, preferably 10-300 μM, preferably20-200 μM of the compound of formula (I) relative to the total volume ofthe composition. In some embodiments, the composition comprises up to0.1 wt %, up to 1 wt %, up to 5 wt %, up to 10 wt %, up to 25 wt %, orup to 50 wt % of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the compound offormula (I). In some embodiments, the composition comprises up to 0.1 wt%, 1 wt %, 5 wt %, or 10 wt % of a pharmaceutically acceptable solvateof the gold(III) complex of formula (I). In one or more embodiments, thepharmaceutical composition comprises up to 0.01%, up to 0.1%, up to 1%,up to 5%, or up to 10% by weight of the pharmaceutically acceptablecarrier and/or excipient relative to a total weight of thepharmaceutical composition. Preferably, the composition may furthercomprise pharmaceutically acceptable binders, such as sucrose, lactose,xylitol, and pharmaceutically acceptable excipients such as calciumcarbonate, calcium phosphate, and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO).

KX1-309 shown in FIG. 2 is the prototype of KX-01 (KX2-391) and KX-02(KX2-361). The KX chemotype (biarylacetic acid derivatives) was found toexert cytotoxic activities via inhibiting both Src kinases andpre-tubulin. Changes in the scaffold (i.e. redefinition of thepharmacophore) may lead to attenuation or enhancement of the underlyingdual mechanism of action of KX series. Such changes may also modify theaffinity of SFK for other enzymes. KX-01 hinders cell proliferation ofcertain cancers via dual inhibition of Src-kinase and pre-tubulin.

In the present disclosure, the outer aryl group of KX series wastruncated, and an amide group was attached at the para position of thephenyl acetic acid portion of the scaffold. Such structure modificationmay inhibit other kinases and/or the pre-tubulin, thus producinganticancer effect for different tumor classes.

In some embodiments, the active ingredient of the current disclosure,e.g. the compound of formula (I), a salt thereof, a solvate thereof, atautomer thereof, a stereoisomer thereof, or any mixtures thereof,provides utility as an anticancer agent in reducing the viability ofcancer cells derived from human cancer cell lines including, but notlimited to, breast cancer cell lines (e.g. MCF-7, SK-BR-3), stomachcancer cell lines (e.g. N87, SNU-16), colon cancer cell lines (e.g.HCT-116, HT-29), leukemia cell lines (e.g. HL-60), liver cancer celllines (e.g. HepG2), lung cancer cell lines (e.g. A549, NCI-H460), braintumor cell lines (e.g. U251), ovarian cancer cell lines (e.g.NCI-ADR/RES, OVCAR-03), prostate cancer cell lines (e.g. PC-3), renalcancer cell lines (e.g. 786-0), and melanoma cell lines (e.g. UACC-62).

As used herein, other non-cancerous proliferative disorders that mayalso be treated by the currently disclosed pharmaceutical compositioninclude, without limitation, atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis,psoriasis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, scleroderma, cirrhosis of theliver, lymphoproliferative disorder, other disorders characterized byepidermal cell proliferation such as verruca (warts), and dermatitis.The active ingredient of the current disclosure may also exhibit othertherapeutic activities such as antimicrobial (e.g. antibacterial,antifungal, antiviral, antimycobacterial), antimalarial, pesticidal,antioxidant, as well as anti-inflammatory efficacies.

In some embodiments, the ability of the active ingredient to reduce theviability of cancer cells may be determined by contacting thepharmaceutical composition with the cancer cells and then performingcell viability assays. Methods of such assays include, but are notlimited to, ATP test, Calcein AM assay, clonogenic assay, ethidiumhomodimer assay, Evans blue assay, fluorescein diacetatehydrolysis/Propidium iodide staining assay, flow cytometry,Formazan-based assays (MTT, XTT), green fluorescent protein assay,lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay, methyl violet assay, propidium iodideassay, Resazurin assay, trypan blue assay, and TUNEL assay. In apreferred embodiment, a MTT assay is used. In another preferredembodiment, a Resazurin assay is used.

In some embodiments, the cancer cells are derived from human cancer celllines, including, but not limited to, breast cancer cell lines, e.g.,MDA-MB-231, MCF7, T47D, and VP303, stomach cancer cell lines, e.g., N87,SNU-16, SNU-5, SNU-1, KATO III, AGS, colon cancer cell lines, e.g.,HCT15, MDST8, GP5d, HCT116, DLD1, HT29, SW620, SW403 and T84, leukemiacell lines, e.g., HL-60, CESS, CCRF-CEM, CEM/C1, KASUMI-1, ARH-77, livercancer cell lines, e.g. HepG2, PLC/PRF/5, THLE-3, C3A, SNU-182, SNU-398,SNU-387, SNU-423, SNU-475, SNU-449, and Hep 3B2.1-7, lung cancer celllines, e.g., A549, SHP-77, COR-L23/R, and NCI-H69/LX20, cervical cancercell Lines, e.g., HeLa DH, HtTA-1, HRS, and C-41, ovarian cancer celllines, e.g., A2780, A2780cis, OV7, and PEO23, and skin cancer celllines, e.g., C32TG, A375, and MCC26. In other embodiments, the cancercells are collected from a human patient who is at risk of having, issuspected of having, has been diagnosed with, or is being monitored forrecurrence of at least one type of cancer, preferably breast cancer,stomach cancer, colon cancer, and/or leukemia.

As used herein, the term “cytotoxic effective amount” refers to aconcentration of the active ingredient that reduces the viability of thecancer cells by at least 5%, at least 10%, at least 15%, at least 20%,at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, atleast 80% or at least 90%, relative to cancer cells not treated with theactive ingredient. The reduction in viability may occur no more than 10days, no more than 7 days, no more than 5 days, no more than 3 days, orno more than 2 days after the active ingredient is contacted with thecancer cells. In one embodiment, the cytotoxic effective amount may bethe IC₅₀ which is a concentration of the active ingredient which causesthe death of 50% of cancer cells in 12-48 hours, 20-27 hours, or about24 hours (1 day).

In one embodiment, the IC₅₀ of the compound of formula (I), the saltthereof, the solvate thereof, the tautomer thereof, the stereoisomerthereof, or the mixture thereof against stomach cancer cells is in arange of 1-100 μM, preferably 5-50 μM, more preferably 10-20 μM. In apreferred embodiment, the compound of formula (I) is

or both, and the IC₅₀ against stomach cancer cells is in a range of 1-10μM, preferably 2-7 μM, or about 5 μM.

In another embodiment, the IC₅₀ of the compound of formula (I), the saltthereof, the solvate thereof, the tautomer thereof, the stereoisomerthereof, or the mixture thereof against leukemia cells is in a range of0.5-100 μM, preferably 1-50 μM, more preferably 10-20 μM. In a preferredembodiment, the compound of formula (I) is

and the IC₅₀ against leukemia cells is in a range of 0.5-8 μM,preferably 1-5 μM, or about 4 μM.

In another embodiment, the IC₅₀ of the compound of formula (I), the saltthereof, the solvate thereof, the tautomer thereof, the stereoisomerthereof, or the mixture thereof against colon cancer cells is in a rangeof 1-100 μM, preferably 5-50 μM, more preferably 10-20 μM. In apreferred embodiment, the compound of formula (I) is

and the IC₅₀ against colon cancer cells is in a range of 1-10 μM,preferably 2-7 μM, or about 5 μM.

In another embodiment, the IC₅₀ of the gold(III) complex of formula (I),the salt thereof, the solvate thereof, the tautomer thereof, thestereoisomer thereof, or the mixture thereof against breast cancer cellsis in a range of 0.1-50 μM, preferably 0.5-25 μM, more preferably 1-10μM. In a preferred embodiment, the compound of formula (I) is

or both, and the IC₅₀ against breast cancer cells is in a range of 0.5-8μM, preferably 1-5 μM, more preferably 2-4 μM.

In some embodiments, other active ingredients in addition to thecompound of the current disclosure may be incorporated into thepharmaceutical composition. In one embodiment, the pharmaceuticalcomposition includes a second active ingredient that is chemicallydistinct from the compound of formula (I), such as a chemotherapeuticagent or an anticancer agent, for the treatment or prevention ofneoplasm, of tumor or cancer cell division, growth, proliferation and/ormetastasis in the subject; induction of death or apoptosis of tumorand/or cancer cells; and/or any other forms of proliferative disorder.

The anticancer agent is at least one of a mitotic inhibitor; analkylating agent; an antimetabolite; a cell cycle inhibitor; an enzyme;a topoisomerase inhibitor; a biological response modifier; ananti-hormone; a tubulin inhibitor; a tyrosine-kinase inhibitor; anantiangiogenic agent such as MMP-2, MMP-9 and COX-2 inhibitor; ananti-androgen; a platinum coordination complex (oxaliplatin,carboplatin); a substituted urea such as hydroxyurea; a methylhydrazinederivative; an adrenocortical suppressant, e.g., mitotane,aminoglutethimide; a hormone and/or hormone antagonist such as theadrenocorticosteriods (e.g., prednisone), progestins (e.g.,hydroxyprogesterone caproate), an estrogen (e.g., diethylstilbestrol);an antiestrogen such as tamoxifen; androgen, e.g., testosteronepropionate; and an aromatase inhibitor, such as anastrozole, andAROMASIN (exemestane).

Exemplary anticancer agents include, but are not limited to, tubulinbinding agents including paclitaxel, epothilone, docetaxel,discodermolide, etoposide, vinblastine, vincristine, teniposide,vinorelbine, and vindesine; tyrosine-kinase inhibitors includingimatinib, nilotinib, dasatinib, bosutinib, ponatinib, and bafetinib;alkylating antineoplastic agents including busulfan, carmustine,chlorambucil, cyclophosphamide, cyclophosphamide, dacarbazine,ifosfamide, lomustine, mechlorethamine, melphalan, mercaptopurine,procarbazine; antimetabolites including cladribine, cytarabine,fludarabine, gemcitabine, pentostatin, 5-fluorouracil, clofarabine,capecitabine, methotrexate, thioguanine; cytotoxic antibiotics includingdaunorubicin, doxorubicin, idarubicin, mitomycin, actinomycin,epirubicin; topoisomerase inhibitors including irinotecan, mitoxantrone,topotecan, and mixtures thereof.

As used herein, a “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” refers to acarrier or diluent that does not cause significant irritation to anorganism, does not abrogate the biological activity and properties ofthe administered active ingredient, and/or does not interact in adeleterious manner with the other components of the composition in whichit is contained. The term “carrier” encompasses any excipient, binder,diluent, filler, salt, buffer, solubilizer, lipid, stabilizer, or othermaterial well known in the art for use in pharmaceutical formulations.The choice of a carrier for use in a composition will depend upon theintended route of administration for the composition. The preparation ofpharmaceutically acceptable carriers and formulations containing thesematerials is described in, e.g. Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences,21st Edition, ed. University of the Sciences in Philadelphia,Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia Pa., 2005, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety). Examples ofphysiologically acceptable carriers include antioxidants includingascorbic acid; low molecular weight (less than about 10 residues)polypeptides; proteins, such as serum albumin, gelatin, orimmunoglobulins; hydrophilic polymers such as polyvinylpyrrolidone;amino acids such as glycine, glutamine, asparagine, arginine or lysine;monosaccharides, disaccharides, and other carbohydrates includingglucose, mannose, or dextrins; chelating agents such as EDTA; sugaralcohols such as mannitol or sorbitol; salt-forming counterions such assodium; and/or nonionic surfactants such as TWEEN® (ICI, Inc.;Bridgewater, N.J.), polyethylene glycol (PEG), and PLURONICS™ (BASF;Florham Park, N.J.). An “excipient” refers to an inert substance addedto a composition to further facilitate administration of a compound.Examples, without limitation, of excipients include calcium carbonate,calcium phosphate, various sugars and types of starch, cellulosederivatives, gelatin, vegetable oils, and polyethylene glycols.

In one or more embodiments, the pharmaceutically acceptable carrierand/or excipient is at least one selected from the group consisting of abuffer, an inorganic salt, a fatty acid, a vegetable oil, a syntheticfatty ester, a surfactant, and a polymer.

Exemplary buffers include, but are not limited to, phosphate buffers,citrate buffer, acetate buffers, borate buffers, carbonate buffers,bicarbonate buffers, and buffers with other organic acids and salts.

Exemplary inorganic salts include, but are not limited to, calciumcarbonate, calcium phosphate, disodium hydrogen phosphate, potassiumhydrogen phosphate, sodium chloride, zinc oxide, zinc sulfate, andmagnesium trisilicate.

Exemplary fatty acids include, but are not limited to, an omega-3 fattyacid (e.g., linolenic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid)and an omega-6 fatty acid (e.g., linoleic acid, eicosadienoic acid,arachidonic acid). Other fatty acids, such as oleic acid, palmitoleicacid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, and myristic acid, may be included.

Exemplary vegetable oils include, but are not limited to, avocado oil,olive oil, palm oil, coconut oil, rapeseed oil, soybean oil, corn oil,sunflower oil, cottonseed oil, and peanut oil, grape seed oil, hazelnutoil, linseed oil, rice bran oil, safflower oil, sesame oil, brazil nutoil, carapa oil, passion fruit oil, and cocoa butter.

Exemplary synthetic fatty esters include, without limitation, methyl,ethyl, isopropyl and butyl esters of fatty acids (e.g., isopropylpalmitate, glyceryl stearate, ethyl oleate, isopropyl myristate,isopropyl isostearate, diisopropyl sebacate, ethyl stearate, di-n-butyladipate, dipropylene glycol pelargonate), C₁₂-C₁₆ fatty alcohol lactates(e.g., cetyl lactate and lauryl lactate), propylene dipelargonate,2-ethylhexyl isononoate, 2-ethylhexyl stearate, isopropyl lanolate,2-ethylhexyl salicylate, cetyl myristate, oleyl myristate, oleylstearate, oleyl oleate, hexyl laurate, isohexyl laurate, propyleneglycol fatty ester, and polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty ester. As usedherein, the term “propylene glycol fatty ester” refers to a monoether ordiester, or mixtures thereof, formed between propylene glycol orpolypropylene glycol and a fatty acid. The term “polyoxyethylenesorbitan fatty ester” denotes oleate esters of sorbitol and itsanhydrides, typically copolymerized with ethylene oxide.

Surfactants may act as detergents, wetting agents, emulsifiers, foamingagents, and dispersants. Surfactants that may be present in thecompositions of the present disclosure include zwitterionic (amphoteric)surfactants, e.g., phosphatidylcholine, and3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate (CHAPS),anionic surfactants, e.g., sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium octanesulfonate, sodium decane sulfonate, and sodium dodecane sulfonate,non-ionic surfactants, e.g., sorbitan monolaurate, sorbitanmonopalmitate, sorbitan trioleate, polysorbates such as polysorbate 20(Tween 20), polysorbate 60 (Tween 60), and polysorbate 80 (Tween 80),cationic surfactants, e.g., decyltrimethylammonium bromide,dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide, tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide,tetradecyltrimethyl-ammonium chloride, and dodecylammonium chloride, andcombinations thereof.

Exemplary polymers include, without limitation, polylactides,polyglycolides, polycaprolactones, polyanhydrides, polyurethanes,polyesteramides, polyorthoesters, polydioxanones, polyacetals,polyketals, polycarbonates, polyorthocarbonates, polyphosphazenes,polyhydroxybutyrates, polyhydroxyvalerates, polyalkylene oxalates,polyalkylene succinates, poly(malic acid), poly(maleic anhydride), apolyvinyl alcohols, and copolymers, terpolymers, or combinations ormixtures therein. The copolymer/terpolymer may be a randomcopolymer/terpolymer, or a block copolymer/terpolymer.

Depending on the route of administration e.g. oral, parental, ortopical, the composition may be in the form of solid dosage form such astablets, caplets, capsules, powders, and granules, semi-solid dosageform such as ointments, creams, lotions, gels, pastes, andsuppositories, liquid dosage forms such as solutions, and dispersions,inhalation dosage form such as aerosols, and spray, or transdermaldosage form such as patches.

Solid dosage forms for oral administration can include capsules,tablets, pills, powders, and granules. In such solid dosage forms, theactive ingredient is ordinarily combined with one or more adjuvantsappropriate to the indicated route of administration. If administeredper os, the active ingredient can be admixed with lactose, sucrose,starch powder, cellulose esters of alkanoic acids, cellulose alkylesters, talc, stearic acid, magnesium stearate, magnesium oxide, sodiumand calcium salts of phosphoric and sulfuric acids, gelatin, acacia gum,sodium alginate, polyvinylpyrrolidone, and/or polyvinyl alcohol, andthen tableted or encapsulated for convenient administration. Suchcapsules or tablets can contain a controlled-release formulation as canbe provided in a dispersion of active compound in hydroxypropylmethylcellulose. In the case of capsules, tablets, and pills, the dosage formscan also comprise buffering ingredients such as sodium citrate,magnesium or calcium carbonate or bicarbonate. Tablets and pills canadditionally be prepared with enteric coatings.

Liquid dosage forms for oral administration can include pharmaceuticallyacceptable emulsions, solutions, suspensions, syrups, and elixirscontaining inert diluents commonly used in the art, such as water. Suchcompositions can also comprise adjuvants, such as wetting ingredients,emulsifying and suspending ingredients, and sweetening, flavouring, andperfuming ingredients.

For therapeutic purposes, formulations for parenteral administration canbe in the form of aqueous or non-aqueous isotonic sterile injectionsolutions or suspensions. The term “parenteral”, as used herein,includes intravenous, intravesical, intraperitoneal, subcutaneous,intramuscular, intralesional, intracranial, intrapulmonal, intracardial,intrasternal, and sublingual injections, or infusion techniques. Thesesolutions and suspensions can be prepared from sterile powders orgranules having one or more of the carriers or diluents mentioned foruse in the formulations for oral administration. The active ingredientcan be dissolved in water, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol,ethanol, corn oil, cottonseed oil, peanut oil, sesame oil, benzylalcohol, sodium chloride, and/or various buffers. Other adjuvants andmodes of administration are well and widely known in the pharmaceuticalart.

Injectable preparations, for example, sterile injectable aqueous oroleaginous suspensions can be formulated according to the known artusing suitable dispersing or wetting ingredients and suspendingingredients. The sterile injectable preparation can also be a sterileinjectable solution or suspension in a non-toxic parenterally acceptablediluent or solvent, for example, as a solution in 1,3-butanediol. Amongthe acceptable vehicles and solvents that can be employed are water,Ringer's solution, and isotonic sodium chloride solution. In addition,sterile, fixed oils are conventionally employed as a solvent orsuspending medium. For this purpose any bland fixed oil can be employedincluding synthetic mono- or di-glycerides. In addition, fatty acids,such as oleic acid, find use in the preparation of injectables. Dimethylacetamide, surfactants including ionic and non-ionic detergents,polyethylene glycols can be used. Mixtures of solvents and wettingingredients such as those discussed above are also useful.

Suppositories for rectal administration can be prepared by mixing theactive ingredient with a suitable non-irritating excipient, such ascocoa butter, synthetic mono-, di-, or triglycerides, fatty acids, andpolyethylene glycols that are solid at ordinary temperatures but liquidat the rectal temperature and will therefore melt in the rectum andrelease the drug.

Topical administration may involve the use of transdermal administrationsuch as transdermal patches or iontophoresis devices. Formulation ofdrugs is discussed in, for example, Hoover, J. E. Remington'spharmaceutical sciences, Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa., 1975; andLiberman, H. A.; Lachman, L., Eds. Pharmaceutical dosage forms, MarcelDecker, New York, N.Y., 1980, which are incorporated herein by referencein their entirety.

In other embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition having the compoundof formula (I), the salt thereof, the solvate thereof, the tautomerthereof, the stereoisomer thereof, or the mixture thereof has differentrelease rates categorized as immediate release and controlled- orsustained-release.

As used herein, immediate release refers to the release of an activeingredient substantially immediately upon administration. In anotherembodiment, immediate release occurs when there is dissolution of anactive ingredient within 1-20 minutes after administration. Dissolutioncan be of all or less than all (e.g. about 70%, about 75%, about 80%,about 85%, about 90%, about 91%, about 92%, about 93%, about 94%, about95%, about 96%, about 97%, about 98%, about 99%, about 99.5%, 99.9%, or99.99%) of the active ingredient. In another embodiment, immediaterelease results in complete or less than complete dissolution withinabout 1 hour following administration. Dissolution can be in a subject'sstomach and/or intestine. In one embodiment, immediate release resultsin dissolution of an active ingredient within 1-20 minutes afterentering the stomach. For example, dissolution of 100% of an activeingredient can occur in the prescribed time. In another embodiment,immediate release results in complete or less than complete dissolutionwithin about 1 hour following rectal administration. In someembodiments, immediate release is through inhalation, such thatdissolution occurs in a subject's lungs.

Controlled-release, or sustained-release, refers to a release of anactive ingredient from a composition or dosage form in which the activeingredient is released over an extended period of time. In oneembodiment, controlled-release results in dissolution of an activeingredient within 20-180 minutes after entering the stomach. In anotherembodiment, controlled-release occurs when there is dissolution of anactive ingredient within 20-180 minutes after being swallowed. Inanother embodiment, controlled-release occurs when there is dissolutionof an active ingredient within 20-180 minutes after entering theintestine. In another embodiment, controlled-release results insubstantially complete dissolution after at least 1 hour followingadministration. In another embodiment, controlled-release results insubstantially complete dissolution after at least 1 hour following oraladministration. In another embodiment, controlled-release results insubstantially complete dissolution after at least 1 hour followingrectal administration. In one embodiment, the pharmaceutical compositiondescribed herein is not a controlled-release composition.

According to a third aspect, the present disclosure relates to a methodfor treating a proliferative disorder. The method involves administeringthe pharmaceutical composition of the second aspect to a subject in needof therapy.

In one or more embodiments, the proliferative disorder is cancer. Insome embodiments, the disclosed method of the current aspect is fortreating cancer of the blood, stomach, breast, colon, brain, bladder,lung, cervix, ovary, rectum, pancreas, skin, prostate gland, spleen,liver, kidney, head, neck, testicle, bone, bone marrow, thyroid gland,or central nervous system. In a preferred embodiment, the cancer is atleast one selected from the group consisting of breast cancer, stomachcancer, colon cancer, and leukemia.

As used herein, the terms “treat”, “treatment”, and “treating” in thecontext of the administration of a therapy to a subject in need thereofrefer to the reduction or inhibition of the progression and/or durationof a disease (e.g. cancer), the reduction or amelioration of theseverity of the disease, and/or the amelioration of one or more symptomsthereof resulting from the administration of one or more therapies.“Treating” or “treatment” of the disease includes preventing the diseasefrom occurring in a subject that may be predisposed to the disease butdoes not yet experience or exhibit symptoms of the disease (prophylactictreatment), inhibiting the disease (slowing or arresting itsdevelopment), ameliorating the disease, providing relief from thesymptoms or side-effects of the disease (including palliativetreatment), and relieving the disease (causing regression of thedisease). With regard to the disease, these terms simply mean that oneor more of the symptoms of the disease will be reduced. Such terms mayrefer to one, two, three, or more results following the administrationof one, two, three, or more therapies: (1) a stabilization, reduction(e.g. by more than 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, preferably by more than 60%of the population of cancer cells and/or tumor size beforeadministration), or elimination of the cancer cells, (2) inhibitingcancerous cell division and/or cancerous cell proliferation, (3)relieving to some extent (or, preferably, eliminating) one or moresymptoms associated with a pathology related to or caused in part byunregulated or aberrant cellular division, (4) an increase indisease-free, relapse-free, progression-free, and/or overall survival,duration, or rate, (5) a decrease in hospitalization rate, (6) adecrease in hospitalization length, (7) eradication, removal, or controlof primary, regional and/or metastatic cancer, (8) a stabilization orreduction (e.g. by at least 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%,preferably at least 80% relative to the initial growth rate) in thegrowth of a tumor or neoplasm, (9) an impairment in the formation of atumor, (10) a reduction in mortality, (11) an increase in the responserate, the durability of response, or number of patients who respond orare in remission, (12) the size of the tumor is maintained and does notincrease or increases by less than 10%, preferably less than 5%,preferably less than 4%, preferably less than 2%, (13) a decrease in theneed for surgery (e.g. colectomy, mastectomy), and (14) preventing orreducing (e.g. by more than 10%, more than 30%, preferably by more than60% of the population of metastasized cancer cells beforeadministration) the metastasis of cancer cells.

The term “subject” and “patient” are used interchangeably. As usedherein, they refer to any subject for whom or which therapy, includingwith the compositions according to the present disclosure is desired. Inmost embodiments, the subject is a mammal, including but not limited toa human, a non-human primate such as a chimpanzee, a domestic livestocksuch as a cattle, a horse, a swine, a pet animal such as a dog, a cat,and a rabbit, and a laboratory subject such as a rodent, e.g. a rat, amouse, and a guinea pig. In preferred embodiments, the subject is ahuman.

As used herein, a subject in need of therapy includes a subject alreadywith the disease, a subject which does not yet experience or exhibitsymptoms of the disease, and a subject predisposed to the disease. Inpreferred embodiments, the subject is a person who is predisposed tocancer, e.g. a person with a family history of cancer. Women who have(i) certain inherited genes (e.g. mutated BRCA1 and/or mutated BRCA2),(ii) been taking estrogen alone (without progesterone) after menopausefor many years (at least 5, at least 7, or at least 10), and/or (iii)been taking fertility drug clomiphene citrate, are at a higher risk ofcontracting breast cancer. People who (i) consumes a diet high in saltyand smoked foods and/or low in fruits and vegetables, (ii) had infectionwith Helicobacter pylori, and/or (iii) long-term stomach inflammationare at a higher risk of contracting stomach cancer. People who (i) hadchemotherapy and radiation therapy for other cancers, (ii) has geneticdisorders, such as Down syndrome, and/or (iii) exposure to certainchemicals, such as benzene are at a higher risk of contracting leukemia.People who (i) had inflammatory bowel disease, or a genetic syndromesuch as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and hereditarynon-polyposis colorectal cancer (Lynch syndrome), and/or (ii) consumes alow-fiber and high-fat diet are at a higher risk of contracting coloncancer.

In another embodiment, the subject refers to a cancer patient who hasbeen previously administered and/or treated with a tubulin binding drugsuch as paclitaxel, epothilone, docetaxel, discodermolide, etoposide,vinblastine, vincristine, teniposide, vinorelbine, and vindesine, anddeveloped resistance to the tubulin binding drug. In another embodiment,the subject refers to a cancer patient who has been previously treatedand/or administered with a tyrosine-kinase inhibitor such as imatinib,nilotinib, dasatinib, bosutinib, ponatinib, and bafetinib, and developeddrug resistance via (i) Bcr-Abl dependent mechanisms involving Bcr-Ablduplication, Bcr-Abl mutation, T315I mutation, and/or P-loop mutations,or (ii) Bcr-Abl Independent mechanisms involving drug efflux caused byP-glycoproteins, drug import by organic cation transporter 1, and/oralternative signaling pathway activation. In at least one embodiment,the subject has leukemia, stomach, colon, and/or breast cancer and iscurrently undergoing, or has completed a tubulin inhibitor based and/ortyrosine-kinase inhibitor based chemotherapy regimen.

The terms “administer”, “administering”, “administration”, and the like,as used herein, refer to the methods that may be used to enable deliveryof the active ingredient and/or the composition to the desired site ofbiological action. Routes or modes of administration are as set forthherein. These methods include, but are not limited to, oral routes,intraduodenal routes, parenteral injection (including intravenous,subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, intramuscular, intravascular, orinfusion), topical and rectal administration. Those of ordinary skill inthe art are familiar with administration techniques that can be employedwith the complexes and methods described herein. In a preferredembodiment, the active ingredient and/or the pharmaceutical compositiondescribed herein are administered orally.

In one or more embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition administeredcomprises the compound of formula (I), or a salt thereof, a solvatethereof, a tautomer thereof, a stereoisomer thereof, or a mixturethereof, in which R₁ is selected from the group consisting of phenyl,p-methoxyphenyl, p-fluorophenyl, and 2-furanyl, R₂ is selected from thegroup consisting of methyl, ethyl, phenyl, p-aminophenyl,p-chlorophenyl, m-chlorophenyl, m-fluorophenyl, p-methylphenyl,

A is .—C(O)—., and n is 1. In most preferred embodiments, thepharmaceutical composition administered comprises a compound which isselected from the group consisting of

The dosage amount and treatment duration are dependent on factors, suchas bioavailability of a drug, administration mode, toxicity of a drug,gender, age, lifestyle, body weight, the use of other drugs and dietarysupplements, the disease stage, tolerance and resistance of the body tothe administered drug, etc., and then determined and adjustedaccordingly. The terms “effective amount”, “therapeutically effectiveamount”, or “pharmaceutically effective amount” refer to that amount ofthe active ingredient being administered which will relieve to someextent one or more of the symptoms of the disease being treated. Theresult can be a reduction and/or alleviation of the signs, symptoms, orcauses of a disease, or any other desired alteration of a biologicalsystem. An appropriate “effective amount” may differ from one individualto another. An appropriate “effective amount” in any individual case maybe determined using techniques, such as a dose escalation study. In oneor more embodiments, an effective amount of the compound of formula (I)in a range of 0.1-200 mg/kg, preferably 1-100 mg/kg, more preferably10-50 mg/kg is administered per body weight of the subject. However, incertain embodiments, the effective amount of the compound of formula (I)is less than 0.1 mg/kg or greater than 200 mg/kg.

In treating certain cancers, the best approach is often a combination ofsurgery, radiotherapy, and/or chemotherapy. Therefore, in at least oneembodiment, the pharmaceutical composition is employed in conjunctionwith radiotherapy. In another embodiment, the pharmaceutical compositionis employed with surgery. The radiotherapy and/or surgery may beperformed before or after the pharmaceutical composition isadministered.

A treatment method may comprise administering a pharmaceuticalcomposition containing the compound of formula (I) of the currentdisclosure in any of its embodiments as a single dose or multipleindividual divided doses. In some embodiments, the composition isadministered at various dosages (e.g. a first dose with an effectiveamount of 200 mg/kg and a second dose with an effective amount of 50mg/kg). In some embodiments, the interval of time between theadministration of the composition and the administration of one or moreadditional therapies may be about 1-5 minutes, 1-30 minutes, 30 minutesto 60 minutes, 1 hour, 1-2 hours, 2-6 hours, 2-12 hours, 12-24 hours,1-2 days, 2 days, 3 days, 4 days, 5 days, 6 days, 7 days, 1 week, 2weeks, 3 weeks, 4 weeks, 5 weeks, 6 weeks, 7 weeks, 8 weeks, 9 weeks, 10weeks, 15 weeks, 20 weeks, 26 weeks, 52 weeks, 11-15 weeks, 15-20 weeks,20-30 weeks, 30-40 weeks, 40-50 weeks, 1 month, 2 months, 3 months, 4months, 5 months, 6 months, 7 months, 8 months, 9 months, 10 months, 11months, 12 months, 1 year, 2 years, or any period of time in between.Preferably, the composition is administered once daily for at least 2days, at least 5 days, at least 6 days, or at least 7 days. In certainembodiments, the composition and one or more additional therapies areadministered less than 1 day, less than 1 week, less than 2 weeks, lessthan 3 weeks, less than 4 weeks, less than 1 month, less than 2 months,less than 3 months, less than 6 months, less than 1 year, less than 2years, or less than 5 years apart.

The methods for treating cancer and other proliferative disordersdescribed herein inhibit, remove, eradicate, reduce, regress, diminish,arrest or stabilize a cancerous tumor, including at least one of thetumor growth, tumor cell viability, tumor cell division andproliferation, tumor metabolism, blood flow to the tumor and metastasisof the tumor. In some embodiments, the size of a tumor, whether byvolume, weight or diameter, is reduced after the treatment by at least5%, at least 10%, at least 15%, at least 20%, at least 25%, at least30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least99%, or 100%, relative to the tumor size before treatment. In otherembodiments, the size of a tumor after treatment does not reduce but ismaintained the same as the tumor size before treatment. Methods ofassessing tumor size include, but are not limited to, CT scan, MRI,DCE-MRI and PET scan.

In one embodiment, the method disclosed herein may reduce the number ofabnormal peripheral blood mononuclear cells in a leukemia patient, whomay be afflicted with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), acute myeloidleukemia (AML), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), or chronic myeloidleukemia (CIVIL). Preferably, the number of abnormal peripheral bloodmononuclear cells is reduced after the treatment by at least 5%, atleast 10%, at least 20%, at least 30%, or at least 40%, and up to 100%,up to 99%, up to 95%, up to 90%, up to 80%, or up to 60%, relative to aninitial number of abnormal peripheral blood mononuclear cells beforetreatment.

In most embodiments, the method further comprises measuring aconcentration of a biomarker and/or detecting a mutation in a biomarkerbefore and/or after the pharmaceutical composition comprising thecompound of formula (I) of the present disclosure is administered. Asused herein, the term “biomarker” refers to a characteristic that isobjectively measured and evaluated as an indicator of normal biologicalprocesses, pathogenic processes or pharmacological responses to atherapeutic intervention. Generic cancer biomarkers include circulatingtumor DNA (ctDNA) and circulating tumor cells (CTC). Exemplarybiomarkers for colon cancer include, without limitation,carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), carbohydrate antigen 242 (CA 242), CA195, CA 19-9, MSI, and 18qLOH. Exemplary biomarkers for breast cancerinclude, without limitation, BRCA1, BRCA2, HER-2, estrogen receptor,progesterone receptor, cancer antigen 15-3, cancer antigen 27.29,carcinoembryonic antigen, Ki67, cyclin D1, cyclin E, and ERβ. Exemplarybiomarkers for stomach cancer include, without limitation,carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), CA19-9, carbohydrate antigen (CA) 72-4,alpha-fetoprotein, carbohydrate antigen (CA)12-5, SLE, BCA-225, hCG, andpepsinogenI/II. In one embodiment, leukemia patient's response to thetreatment may be monitored by (i) measuring the complete blood count,(ii) observing the disappearance/reduction in occurrences of abnormalcytogenetic markers detected at the time of diagnosis, and/or (iii)observing the disappearance/reduction in occurrences of BCR/ABLmutational copies detected at the time of diagnosis.

Potentially predictive cancer biomarkers include, without limitation,mutations in genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 for breast cancer, overexpressions ofTYMS, mutations in genes p53 and KRAS for colon cancer, and highconcentration levels of AFP, and overexpressions of HSP90a for livercancer.

The mutation in the biomarker may be detected by procedures such asrestriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), polymerase chainreaction (PCR) assay, multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification(MLPA), denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), single-strandconformation polymorphism (SSCP), hetero-duplex analysis, proteintruncation test (PTT), and oligonucleotide ligation assay (OLA). Theprocedures to detect the mutation are well-known to those of ordinaryskill in the art.

The term “sample” used herein refers to any biological sample obtainedfrom the subject in need of therapy including a single cell, multiplecells, fragments of cells, a tissue sample, and/or body fluid.Specifically, the biological sample may include red blood cells, whiteblood cells, platelets, hepatocytes, epithelial cells, endothelialcells, a skin biopsy, a mucosa biopsy, an aliquot of urine, saliva,whole blood, serum, plasma, lymph. In some embodiments, the biologicalsample is taken from a tumor.

The concentration level of the cancer biomarker in a sample may bemeasured by an assay, for example an immunoassay. Typical immunoassaymethods include, without limitation, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA), enzyme-linked immunospot assay (ELISPOT), Western blotting,immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunocytochemistry, immunostaining, andmultiple reaction monitoring (MRM) based mass spectrometric immunoassay.The protocol for measuring the concentration of the biomarker and/ordetecting the mutation in the biomarker is known to those of ordinaryskill, for example by performing the steps outlined in the commerciallyavailable assay kit sold by Sigma-Aldrich, Thermo Fisher Scientific, R &D Systems, ZeptoMetrix Inc., Cayman Inc., Abcam, Trevigen, DojindoMolecular Technologies, Biovision, and Enzo Life Sciences.

In some embodiments, a concentration of the biomarker is measured beforeand after the administration. When the concentration of the biomarker ismaintained, the method may further comprise increasing the effectiveamount of the compound of formula (I) by at least 5%, at least 10%, orat least 30%, up to 50%, up to 60%, or up to 80% of an initial effectiveamount that is in a range of 0.1-200 mg/kg per body weight of thesubject. The increased effective amount may be in a range of 0.105-360mg/kg, preferably 1-300 mg/kg, more preferably 10-200 mg/kg. The subjectmay be administered with the increased dosage for a longer period (e.g.1 week more, 2 weeks more, or 2 months more) than the durationprescribed with the initial effective amount.

In some embodiments, the mutation in the biomarker is detected beforeadministering the composition to identify subjects predisposed to thedisease. Alternatively, the biomarkers are measured/detected after eachadministration. For example, the measurement may be 1-5 minutes, 1-30minutes, 30-60 minutes, 1-2 hours, 2-12 hours, 12-24 hours, 1-2 days,1-15 weeks, 15-20 weeks, 20-30 weeks, 30-40 weeks, 40-50 weeks, 1 year,2 years, or any period of time in between after the administration.

In some embodiments, the administration is stopped once the subject istreated.

The examples below are intended to further illustrate protocols forpreparing and characterizing the compounds of formula (I), and usesthereof, and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims.

Example 1

Chemical Synthesis: Experimental

All melting points were uncorrected and measured using the capillarymelting point instrument BI 9100 (Barnstead Electrothermal, UK).Infrared spectra were recorded on a Thermo Scientific Niccolet iS10FT-IR Spectrometer (King Fand Center for Medical Research, KingAbdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia). In this disclosure, onlycharacteristic IR stretching bands are listed, such as NH, OH, CH, C═O,C═N and/or C═C. In FT-IR, all samples were measured neat. ¹H NMR spectrawere recorded on an AVANCE-III 600 MHz and AVANCE-III HD 850 MHzspectrometers (Bruker, Germany), and chemical shifts were expressed asppm against TMS as an internal reference (King Fand Center for MedicalResearch and Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah,Saudi Arabia). LC/MS analyses were performed on an Agilent 6320 Ion TrapHPLC-ESI-MS/DAD (Santa Clara, Calif., USA) with the following settings.The analytes were separated using a Macherey-Nagel Nucleodur-C18 column(150 mm length×4.6 mm i.d., 5 μm) (Macherey-Nagel GMBH & Co. KG, Duren,Germany). Mobile phase isocratic elution using a mixture of acetonitrileand 0.01 formic acid in water (80:20, v/v). The flow rate was 0.4mL/min, and total run time=20 min. Purities were reported according topercentage of Peak Areas at wavelength of 280 nm. High-resolution massspectrometry (HRMS) was performed in the Faculty of Science, KingAbdulaziz University on Impact II™ Q-TOF spectrometer (Bruker, Germany).Column chromatography was performed on a silica gel 60 (particle size0.06 mm-0.20 mm).

KAC-14 (intermediate) [Kumar, M.; Sharma, S.; Thakur, K.; Nayal, O. S.;Bhatt, V.; Thakur, M. S.; Kumar, N.; Singh, B.; Sharma, U.,Montmorillonite-K10-Catalyzed Microwave-Assisted Direct Amidation ofUnactivated Carboxylic Acids with Amines: Maintaining Chiral Integrityof Substrates. Asian J. Org. Chem. 2017, 6 (3), 342-346, incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety] (see FIG. 3), 6a [Sato, I.;Morihira, K.; Inami, H.; Kubota, H.; Morokata, T.; Suzuki, K.; Iura, Y.;Nitta, A.; Imaoka, T.; Takahashi, T.; Takeuchi, M.; Ohta, M.; Tsukamoto,S.-i., Design and synthesis of 6-fluoro-2-naphthyl derivatives as novelCCR3 antagonists with reduced CYP2D6 inhibition. Bioorg. Med. Chem.2008, 16 (18), 8607-8618, incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety], 6b [Kumar, P. P.; Yervala, D. R.; Chittireddy, V. R. R.;Bhoomireddy, R. D.; Dubey, P. K., Synthesis of novel symmetrical andunsymmetrical o-phthalic acid diamides. Org. Chem. Int. 2014,576715/1-576715/10, 10 pp, incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety] (see FIG. 4), 8a [Jenkins, G. L.; Davis, C. S.; Knevel, A. M.;Yoder, D. S., Synthesis of amides of diphenic acid as potentialantispasmodic agents. J. Pharm. Sci. 1963, 52 (9), 902-3, incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety], 8b [Aboul-Enein, H. Y.; Ibrahim,S. E.; Khalifa, M., Synthesis and biological activity ofdibenz[c,e]azepines. Drug Des. Delivery 1988, 4 (1), 27-33, incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety], and 8c [Boyd, G. V.; Monteil, R.L., Synthesis and reactions of cyclic isoimidium salts. J. Chem. Soc.,Perkin Trans. 1 1978, (11), 1338-50, incorporated herein by reference inits entirety] (see FIG. 5) were prepared and structurally confirmed, ascompared to literature [Kumar, M.; Sharma, S.; Thakur, K.; Nayal, O. S.;Bhatt, V.; Thakur, M. S.; Kumar, N.; Singh, B.; Sharma, U.,Montmorillonite-K10-Catalyzed Microwave-Assisted Direct Amidation ofUnactivated Carboxylic Acids with Amines: Maintaining Chiral Integrityof Substrates. Asian J. Org. Chem. 2017, 6 (3), 342-346].

Example 2 2-(4-aminophenyl)-N-benzylacetamide (KAC-14)

[Kumar, M.; Sharma, S.; Thakur, K.; Nayal, O. S.; Bhatt, V.; Thakur, M.S.; Kumar, N.; Singh, B.; Sharma, U., Montmorillonite-K10-CatalyzedMicrowave-Assisted Direct Amidation of Unactivated Carboxylic Acids withAmines: Maintaining Chiral Integrity of Substrates. Asian J. Org. Chem.2017, 6 (3), 342-346, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety]

A mixture of 2-(4-nitrophenyl)acetic acid (10 mmol, 1.81 g) and 50 mLdichloromethane (DCM) was placed in a dry 3-neck round bottom flask andflushed with nitrogen which was then stirred in an ice bath. Then,oxalyl chloride (11.6 mmol, 1.48 g, 1 mL) with 5 mL DCM were placed inan additional funnel and were then fast-dropped to the original mixture.After completing the addition of oxalyl chloride, 1 drop fromdimethylformamide (DMF) were added, and later, after 15 min, the icebath was removed and the mixture was stirred at room temperature (r.t.)and the stirring continued for 4 hrs as all the acid completelydissolved. The solvent was removed using rotary evaporator and theresidue 2-(4-nitrophenyl)acetyl chloride was dissolved in 40 mL DCM andwas stirred for 10 min in an ice bath. Using an additional funnel,benzyl amine (10 mmol, 1.1 g, 1.1 mL) and Diisopropylethylamine (DIPEA)(10 mmol, 1.55 g, 2.1 mL) in 10 mL DCM were added drop wise to the acidchloride. After the ice melted, the stirring continued over night atroom temperature. The solid particles were removed by filtration, washedin a small amount of DCM to form a yellowish white crystalline solid(1.14 g). The completion of the reaction was checked by TLC for both thesolid and filtrate using ethyl acetate hexane mixture in the ratio 1:1against the starting materials. The filtrate was neutralized by dil. HCland the organic layer was collected, dried using sodium sulphate, thesolvent was rotavaped and the solid was collected and washed with Ether.In a 150 mL round bottom flask rapped with Aluminum foil,N-benzyl-2-(4-nitrophenyl)acetamide (6.58 mmol, 1.78 g), SnCl₂ dihydrate(26.34 mmol, 5.95 g), ethyl acetate (40 mL), and water (0.5 mL) wererefluxed for 4 hrs. The mixture was cooled and diluted by ethyl acetate(40 mL) and then treated with a cold 40% NaOH solution (80 mL). Thenfresh water was added to break an emulsion formed. The organic layer wasseparated then the aqueous layer was washed with 10 mL of ethyl acetatethen the combined organic layers were washed with 15 mL of brine anddried with magnesium sulphate. The ethyl acetate was distilled off usingthe rotary evaporator and the solid product was collected. The yield:1.55 g (98.7%) and melting point is 140-142° C. The compound was usedfor the next step without further characterization.

Example 3 2-(4-acetamidophenyl)-N-benzylacetamide (KAC-01)

[Miltsov, S.; Karavan, V.; Misharev, A.; Alonso-Chamarro, J.; Puyol, M.,Boron trifluoride-methanol complex. Mild and powerful reagent fordeprotection of acetylated amines. Scope and selectivity. TetrahedronLett. 2016, 57 (6), 641-644, incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety]

In an ice bath, acetyl chloride was dissolved in 75 mL DCM and stirredfor 10 min. 2-(4-aminophenyl)-N-benzylacetamide (KAC-14) (2 mmol, 0.48g) and diisopropylethylamine (DIPEA) (10 mmol, 2.1 mL) in 25 mL DCM wereadded drop wise to the acetyl chloride using an addition funnel. Afterthe ice melted, the stirring continued over night at room temperature.The completion of the reaction was checked by TLC for both the solid andfiltrate using the ethyl acetate hexane mixture in the ratio 1:1 againststarting materials. The mixture was neutralized by dil. HCl and theproduct was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed,collected, and dried using sodium sulfate. The solvent was rotavaped andthe solid was collected and washed with ether. The product was purifiedby crystallization from hot methanol. Melting point of the final productis 175° C. ¹H NMR (600 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ ppm 9.92 (br. s., 1H), 8.51 (br.s., 1H), 7.50 (d, J=7.91 Hz, 2H), 7.28-7.36 (m, 2H), 7.16-7.27 (m, 4H),4.23-4.31 (m, 2H), 3.42 (br. s., 2H), 2.04 (br. s., 3H).

Example 4N-(4-(2-(benzylamino)-2-oxoethyl)phenyl)-2-(morpholine-4-carbonyl)benzamide(KAC-03)

The starting material 6b (1 mmol) was placed in dichlomethane (6 mL)followed by equimolar amount of oxalyl chloride. The mixture was cooledto 0° C. in ice bath and stirred under inert atmosphere. A drop ofN,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) was added and the mixture was stirred atroom temp for 2 h. The mixture was concentrated by evaporation in vacuoat room temperature. The acid chloride was kept under nitrogen and added(drop-wise) to an ice-bath cooled mixture of amine KAC-14 and ethyldiisopropyl amine added (DIPEA, 2 equivalent) while stirring. Thesolvent was removed by vacuum evaporation and the residue waspartitioned between ethyl acetate and 5% HCl, water and saturatedNaHCO₃. The organic layer was dried, evaporated in vacuum and purifiedby crystallization from ethanol. The product KAC-03 was white solid, mp210° C. ¹H NMR (600 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 8.63 (t, J=5.84 Hz, 1H), 8.47-8.57(m, 1H), 7.96-8.02 (m, 1H), 7.89-7.96 (m, 1H), 7.64-7.70 (m, 3H),7.57-7.64 (m, 3H), 7.43 (d, J=8.28 Hz, 1H), 7.39 (d, J=8.28 Hz, 1H),7.30-7.37 (m, 2H), 7.19-7.30 (m, 5H), 4.24-4.35 (m, 3H), 3.57 (s, 1H),3.43-3.50 (m, 2H); ¹³C NMR (151 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 169.1, 135.2, 133.3,131.2, 129.9, 128.8, 128.8, 128.7, 127.7, 127.7, 123.9, 119.9, 42.4,40.5.

Example 5N-(4-(2-(benzylamino)-2-oxoethyl)phenyl)-2-(piperidine-1-carbonyl)benzamide(KAC-02)

This compound was prepared according to the procedure described for thesynthesis of KAC-03 using the starting material 6a (1 mmol) indichloromethane. The product KAC-02 was collected as a white solid, mp175° C. ¹H NMR (600 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 8.51 (t, J=5.65 Hz, 1H), 7.87-7.99(m, 7H), 7.55-7.59 (m, 1H), 7.48 (d, J=8.28 Hz, 1H), 7.36-7.44 (m, 1H),7.20-7.36 (m, 7H), 7.12 (d, J=8.66 Hz, 1H), 4.89 (s, 1H), 4.44 (s, 1H),4.33 (s, 1H), 2.10 (s, 1H), 1.37 (s, 1H), 1.20-1.32 (m, 3H), 1.12-1.20(m, 1H).

Example 6N¹-(4-(2-(benzylamino)-2-oxoethyl)phenyl)-N²,N²-diethylphthalamide(KAC-04)

This compound was prepared according to the procedure described for thesynthesis of KAC-03 using the starting material 6c. The product KAC-04was white solid, mp 131° C. ¹H NMR (600 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 10.29 (s, 1H),8.50 (t, J=5.83 Hz, 1H), 7.73 (d, J=7.15 Hz, 1H), 7.62 (d, J=8.28 Hz,2H), 7.57 (t, J=7.91 Hz, 1H), 7.53 (t, J=7.34 Hz, 1H), 7.29-7.35 (m,3H), 7.24 (d, J=8.28 Hz, 5H), 4.28 (d, J=5.65 Hz, 2H), 3.45 (s, 2H),3.40 (d, J=7.15 Hz, 2H), 3.14 (q, J=7.15 Hz, 2H), 1.10 (t, J=6.96 Hz,3H), 1.04 (t, J=7.15 Hz, 3H).

Example 7N-(4-(2-(benzylamino)-2-oxoethyl)phenyl)-2′-(piperidine-1-carbonyl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-2-carboxamide(KAC-05)

This compound was prepared according to the procedure described for thesynthesis of KAC-03 using the starting material 8a. The product KAC-05was white solid, mp 175° C. ¹H NMR (600 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 8.67 (br. s.,2H), 8.20 (d, J=8.28 Hz, 4H), 7.50-7.65 (m, 4H), 7.38-7.43 (m, 1H),7.29-7.36 (m, 4H), 7.22-7.28 (m, 6H), 4.29 (d, J=5.65 Hz, 4H), 3.68 (s,4H), 1.37 (br. s., 1H).

Example 8N-(4-(2-(benzylamino)-2-oxoethyl)phenyl)-2′-(morpholine-4-carbonyl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-2-carboxamide(KAC-06)

This compound was prepared according to the procedure described for thesynthesis of KAC-03 using the starting material 8b. The product KAC-06was white solid, mp 185° C. ¹H NMR (600 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 10.49 (br. s.,1H), 8.49 (br. s., 1H), 7.66 (br. s., 1H), 7.51-7.60 (m, 3H), 7.38 (br.s., 5H), 7.30 (s, 4H), 7.22 (s, 5H), 7.14 (br. s., 2H), 4.26 (s, 3H),3.39 (d, J=6.78 Hz, 3H); ¹³C NMR (151 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 170.6, 137.9,129.7, 128.9, 128.7, 128.6, 127.7, 127.2, 66.7, 42.6, 42.2, 40.5.

Example 9N²-(4-(2-(benzylamino)-2-oxoethyl)phenyl)-N²′,N²′-diethyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-2,2′-dicarboxamide(KAC-07)

This compound was prepared according to the procedure described for thesynthesis of KAC-03 using the starting material 8c. The product KAC-07was white solid, mp 163° C. ¹H NMR (600 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 10.48 (s, 1H),8.48 (t, J=5.65 Hz, 1H), 7.60-7.66 (m, 1H), 7.47-7.52 (m, 3H), 7.35-7.43(m, 3H), 7.28-7.34 (m, 4H), 7.19-7.27 (m, 7H), 7.11 (d, J=7.91 Hz, 2H),4.24 (s, 3H), 0.82 (s, 4H).

Example 10 N-(4-(2-(benzylamino)-2-oxoethyl)phenyl)benzamide (KAC-08)

This compound KAC-08 was prepared according to the procedure describedfor the synthesis of KAC-01. The compound was white solid, mp 212° C.(dec.). ¹H NMR (850 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 10.23 (s, 1H), 8.55 (t, J=5.71 Hz,1H), 7.95 (d, J=6.75 Hz, 2H), 7.67-7.71 (m, J=8.30 Hz, 2H), 7.59 (t,J=7.53 Hz, 1H), 7.53 (t, J=7.53 Hz, 2H), 7.29-7.34 (m, 2H), 7.25-7.27(m, J=8.30 Hz, 2H), 7.22-7.25 (m, 3H), 4.27 (d, J=5.71 Hz, 2H). ¹³C NMR(214 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 170.8, 166.0, 139.9, 138.0, 135.4, 132.2, 132.0,129.6, 128.9, 128.8, 128.1, 127.7, 127.3, 120.8, 42.7, 42.3.

Example 11 N-(4-(2-(benzylamino)-2-oxoethyl)phenyl)propionamide (KAC-09)

This compound was prepared according to the procedure described for thesynthesis of KAC-01. The compound was white solid, mp 210° C. ¹H NMR(850 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 9.83 (s, 1H), 8.51 (br. s., 1H), 7.50 (d, J=7.78Hz, 1H), 7.27-7.33 (m, 2H), 7.20-7.26 (m, 3H), 7.18 (d, J=7.78 Hz, 2H),4.26 (d, J=5.71 Hz, 2H), 3.41 (s., 2H), 2.30 (q, J=7.27 Hz, 2H), 1.07(t, J=7.53 Hz, 2H). ¹³C NMR (214 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 172.4, 170.9, 139.9,138.2, 131.3, 129.7, 128.7, 127.6, 127.2, 119.4, 42.6, 42.2, 29.9, 10.2.

Example 12 N-benzyl-2-(4-((4-methylphenyl)sulfonamido)phenyl)acetamide(KAC-10)

This compound was prepared according to the procedure described for thesynthesis of KAC-01. The compound was white solid, mp 140° C. ¹H NMR(850 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 8.49 (t, J=5.97 Hz, 1H), 7.63-7.65 (m, J=8.30 Hz,2H), 7.32-7.34 (m, J=8.30 Hz, 2H), 7.27 (t, J=7.27 Hz, 2H), 7.22 (t,J=7.27 Hz, 1H), 7.17 (d, J=7.27 Hz, 2H), 7.09-7.12 (m, J=8.30 Hz, 2H),6.98-7.01 (m, 2H), 4.22 (d, J=6.23 Hz, 2H), 3.35 (s, 2H), 2.33 (s, 3H).¹³C NMR (214 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 170.6, 143.6, 139.8, 137.3, 136.8, 132.3,130.1, 130.1, 128.7, 127.6, 127.2, 127.2, 120.4, 42.6, 42.0, 40.3, 40.2,40.2, 40.1, 40.1, 40.0, 40.0, 39.9, 39.9, 39.8, 39.8, 39.7, 39.7, 39.6,39.6, 21.4.

Example 13 N-(4-(2-(benzylamino)-2-oxoethyl)phenyl)-4-chlorobenzamide(KAC-11)

This compound was prepared according to the procedure described for thesynthesis of KAC-01. The compound KAC-11 was off-white solid mp >230° C.

Example 14 N-(4-(2-(benzylamino)-2-oxoethyl)phenyl)-4-chlorobenzamide(KAC-12)

This compound was prepared according to the procedure described for thesynthesis of KAC-01. The compound KAC-12 was white solid, mp 207° C. ¹HNMR (850 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 10.34 (s, 1H), 8.56 (d, J=5.71 Hz, 1H), 8.02(t, J=1.82 Hz, 1H), 7.93 (d, J=8.30 Hz, 1H), 7.68-7.71 (m, J=8.30 Hz,2H), 7.66-7.68 (m, 1H), 7.57 (t, J=8.04 Hz, 1H), 7.30-7.33 (m, 2H),7.26-7.28 (m, J=8.30 Hz, 2H), 7.24 (d, J=7.27 Hz, 2H), 4.28 (d, J=6.23Hz, 2H), 3.47 (s, 2H); ¹³C NMR (214 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 170.7, 164.4, 139.9,137.7, 137.4, 133.7, 132.5, 131.8, 130.9, 129.7, 128.8, 127.9, 127.7,127.6, 127.2, 126.9, 120.9, 42.7, 42.3.

Example 15 N-(4-(2-(benzylamino)-2-oxoethyl)phenyl)-4-chlorobenzamide(KAC-13)

This compound was prepared according to the procedure described for thesynthesis of KAC-01. mp 214° C. ¹H NMR (850 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 10.30 (s,1H), 8.55 (t, J=5.97 Hz, 1H), 7.81 (d, J=7.79 Hz, 1H), 7.76 (td, J=2.21,9.60 Hz, 1H), 7.66-7.70 (m, J=8.30 Hz, 2H), 7.59 (dt, J=5.97, 7.91 Hz,1H), 7.45 (dt, J=2.34, 8.69 Hz, 1H), 7.29-7.33 (m, 2H), 7.25-7.29 (m,J=8.30 Hz, 2H), 7.21-7.25 (m, 3H), 4.27 (d, J=5.71 Hz, 2H), 3.51 (br.s., 1H). ¹³C NMR (214 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 170.8, 164.5, 164.5, 163.0, 161.8,139.9, 137.7, 137.6, 132.4, 131.1, 131.1, 129.7, 128.8, 127.7, 127.3,124.3, 124.3, 120.9, 119.0, 118.9, 114.9, 114.8, 42.7, 42.3.

Example 163-Chloro-N-(4-(2-((4-methoxybenzyl)amino)-2-oxoethyl)phenyl)benzamide(KAC-15)

This compound was prepared by reacting KAC-14 with 3-chlorobenzoylchloride according to the procedure described for the synthesis ofKAC-1. mp 212° C. ¹H NMR (850 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 10.32 (s, 1H), 8.46 (t,J=5.71 Hz, 1H), 8.01 (s, 1H), 7.89-7.93 (m, 3H), 7.66-7.72 (m, 4H),7.54-7.59 (m, 2H), 7.26 (d, J=8.30 Hz, 2H), 7.17 (d, J=8.30 Hz, 2H),6.88 (d, J=8.30 Hz, 2H), 4.20 (d, J=5.71 Hz, 2H), 3.73 (s, 3H), 3.44 (s,3H); ¹³C NMR (214 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 170.5, 166.5, 164.4, 158.7, 137.7,137.4, 133.8, 133.7, 133.4, 133.2, 131.8, 131.2, 130.9, 129.7, 129.3,129.1, 128.4, 127.8, 126.9, 120.9, 114.2, 55.5, 42.3, 42.2.

Example 173-Chloro-N-(4-(2-((4-fluorobenzyl)amino)-2-oxoethyl)phenyl)benzamide(KAC-16)

This compound was prepared by reacting KAC-14 with 3-chlorobenzoylchloride according to the procedure described for the synthesis ofKAC-1. mp 218° C. ¹H NMR (850 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 10.33 (s, 1H), 8.54 (s,1H), 8.01 (t, J=1.82 Hz, 1H), 7.92 (d, J=7.78 Hz, 1H), 7.69 (d, J=8.30Hz, 2H), 7.66-7.68 (m, 1H), 7.56-7.59 (m, 1H), 7.28 (dd, J=5.71, 8.82Hz, 2H), 7.26 (d, J=8.82 Hz, 2H), 7.14 (t, J=8.82 Hz, 2H), 4.26 (d,J=6.23 Hz, 2H); ¹³C NMR (214 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 170.7, 164.4, 162.2, 137.7,137.4, 136.2, 136.2, 133.7, 132.4, 131.8, 130.9, 129.7, 129.7, 129.6,127.8, 126.9, 120.9, 115.5, 115.5, 115.4, 42.3, 42.0

Example 18 3-Chloro-N-(4-(2-oxo-2-(phenethylamino)ethyl)phenyl)benzamide(KAC-17)

This compound was prepared by reacting KAC-14 with 3-chlorobenzoylchloride according to the procedure described for the synthesis ofKAC-1, mp 160° C. ¹H NMR (850 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 10.32 (s, 1H), 8.09 (s,1H), 8.01 (t, J=1.82 Hz, 1H), 7.92 (dd, J=1.56, 7.78 Hz, 1H), 7.89-7.91(m, 1H), 7.66-7.69 (m, 2H), 7.57 (t, J=7.79 Hz, 1H), 7.27-7.30 (m, 2H),7.19-7.22 (m, 2H), 7.17-7.19 (m, 2H), 3.37 (s, 2H), 3.27-3.30 (m, 2H),2.71 (t, J=7.27 Hz, 2H); ¹³C NMR (214 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 170.6, 166.5,164.4, 139.9, 137.6, 137.4, 133.7, 133.2, 132.5, 131.8, 131.2, 130.9,129.6, 129.3, 129.2, 128.8, 128.4, 127.9, 126.9, 126.5, 120.8, 42.4,40.8, 35.5.

Example 193-Chloro-N-(4-(2-((furan-2-ylmethyl)amino)-2-oxoethyl)phenyl)benzamide(KAC-18)

This compound was prepared by reacting KAC-14 with 3-chlorobenzoylchloride according to the procedure described for the synthesis ofKAC-1. mp 206° C. ¹H NMR (850 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 10.32 (s, 1H), 8.51 (s,1H), 8.01 (t, J=1.82 Hz, 1H), 7.89-7.94 (m, 1H), 7.66-7.70 (m, 2H),7.54-7.59 (m, 2H), 7.25 (d, J=8.30 Hz, 2H), 6.38-6.40 (m, 1H), 6.21 (d,J=3.11 Hz, 1H), 4.27 (d, J=5.71 Hz, 2H), 3.43 (s, 2H); ¹³C NMR (214 MHz,DMSO-d₆) δ 170.5, 166.5, 164.4, 152.7, 142.6, 137.7, 137.4, 133.7,133.2, 132.3, 131.8, 131.2, 130.9, 129.7, 129.3, 128.4, 127.8, 126.9,120.9, 110.9, 107.3, 42.1, 36.1.

Example 20

Chemical Synthesis: Results and Discussions

As shown in FIG. 3, the synthesis was started by stirring2-(4-nitrophenyl)acetic acid 1 at room temperature for 4 hrs with oxalylchloride in dichloromethane (DCM) and a catalytic amount ofN,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) to afford 2-(4-nitrophenyl) acetyl chloride2. In an ice bath, compound 3 was prepared by the reaction of2-(4-nitrophenyl) acetyl chloride 2 and the corresponding amine in thepresence of diisopropyl ethylamine (DIPEA) in DCM.

The pivotal amine 4 (i.e. KAC-14) was obtained by reduction of the nitrofollowing one of two techniques. The first method was heating the nitrointermediate 3 in ethyl acetate containing SnCl₂ dihydrate for 4 h.Alternatively, the amine 4 (i.e. KAC-14) was prepared using flowchemistry reduction instrument H-Cube Pro™ (Thales Technology, Hungary)using 10% Pd—C cartridge to catalyze the reduction in high pressure (10atm.) at a temperature of 40° C.

The final step to prepare KAC compounds was accomplished via reaction ofthe corresponding acid chloride or acid anhydride under appropriatecondition to afford KAC final compounds. The acid chloride intermediatesfor KAC-03 to KAC-07 were prepared according to steps described in FIGS.4 and 5. Specifically, the corresponding cyclic acid anhydride ofphthalic acid (for KAC-03 and KAC-04) or diphenic anhydride (for KAC-05,KAC-06 and KAC-07) was used as the starting material. The appropriateamine was heated with the acid anhydride in toluene. Subsequently, thefreed carboxylic acid from the previous step was activated by conversionto acid chloride followed by reaction with the amine 4 (i.e. KAC-14).

All the compounds were confirmed by spectral analysis using NMR and IR,and the molecular formulae were established using FIRMS. The puritieswere analyzed using LC/MS.

Example 21

Cytotoxic Assay Against HL-60 Cancer Cell Lines: Cell Culture andReagents

HL-60 cells were purchased from CLS Cell Line Service GmbH (Eppelheim,Germany) and cultured in Roswell Park Memorial Institute-1640 medium(RPMI-1640; Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc; Waltham, Mass., USA)supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS; Thermo Fisher Scientific)and ciprofloxacin (10 μg/ml; Cipla Limited; Mumbai, India), at 37° C.with 5% CO₂ in a humidified incubator.

Example 22

Cytotoxic Assay Against HL-60 Cancer Cell Lines: Cell Viability Assay

The CellTiter®-Blue Cell Viability assay was acquired from PromegaCorporation (Madison, Wis., USA). Cell viability assay was performed asfollows. The cells (10⁴/well) were incubated with KAC-12 at aconcentration gradient ranging from 0.01 to 100 in 96-well plates for 48h at 37° C. Subsequently, 20 μL of CellTiter®-Blue Cell Viabilityreagent was added to each well and incubated for an additional 2 h forthe development of fluorescence. The fluorescence emission was measuredat 590 nm using the SpectraMax® i3x Multi-Mode microplate reader(Molecular Devices, LLC; San Jose, Calif., USA.) and plotted againstdrug concentrations to determine the mean inhibitory concentration ofKAC-12 producing 50% decrease in cell viability (IC₅₀).

Example 23

Cytotoxic Assay Against HCT116 and MCF7 Cancer Cell Lines

The KAC compounds were evaluated for antiproliferative effect againstHCT-116 and MCF7 cell lines using the MTT viability assay and tocalculate the relative IC₅₀ values for each compound. Cells were seededin triplicate in 96-well plates at a density of 10×10³ cells/mL in atotal volume of 100 μL per well and allowed to adhere overnight. Cellswere treated with various concentrations of tested KAC compounds or 0.1%of DMSO (vehicle) for 27 h. Then the medium was discarded and 100 μL perwell of MTT (5 mg/mL in PBS) containing medium was added. Afterincubation at 37° C. for 3 h, the MTT-containing medium was replaced byDMSO (100 μL per well) to dissolve the formazon crystal and incubatedfor 10 min. Absorbance of the solution was measured by microplate readerat 570 nM. The IC₅₀ values were calculated according to thedose-dependent curves using GraphPad prism, version 5.0. All theexperiments were repeated in at least three independent experiments.

Example 24

Cytotoxic Assay Against N87 Cancer Cell Lines

Cytotoxicity of all the compounds against N87 cells was determined usingMTT assay. Briefly, 25,000 cells suspended in 0.1 mL of cell culturemedia were added in each well of a 96-well plate. After allowing thecells to attach for 24 h, media was aspirated from all the wells, anddifferent concentrations of anticancer compounds in cell culture mediawere added to the wells in triplicate. Six wells were incubated withdrug free media, and used as control. 96 hours after the treatment, 25μL of MTT solution (5 mg/mL in phosphate saline buffer, pH 7.4) wasadded to each well, and the plate was incubated for 4.5 hours at 37° C.in the incubator. After incubation, 100 μL of 10% SDS in 0.01 Mhydrochloric acid was added to each well, and the plate was incubatedovernight at 37° C. The next day absorbance was determined in each wellat 590 nm using a plate reader. IC₅₀ value of each compound wasdetermined using GraphPad Prism.

Example 25

Cell Cycle Analysis of H60 Cells Treated with KAC-12

The cells (3.5×10⁵) were incubated with two different concentrations ofKAC-12 at 37° C. for 48 h. Subsequently, the cells were collected andwashed twice with ice-cold PBS (1×). The washed cells were fixed on icefor 20 min using a fixation buffer containing paraformaldehyde. Hoechst33342 (10 μg/mL; Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.) was used for staining.The cells were then incubated in the dark for 30 min on ice. A minimumtotal of 20,000 events were acquired using a BD FACSAria III flowcytometer. Flowlogic version 7.2.1 software (Inivai Technologies,Victoria, Australia) was used to obtain the percentages of cells in theG1, S, and G2/M phases in the singlet-gated population.

Example 26

Cell Cycle Analysis of HCT116 Cells Treated with KAC-03

Flow cytometric analysis was used to determine DNA level in any givencell that has been stained with propidium iodide (PI). PI is afluorescent DNA intercalating agent which binds stoichiometrically tonucleic acid. When bounded to DNA, its fluorescence intensity increases20 fold (excitation 488 nm and emission 600 nm). As cells pass singlythrough a beam of light their cell cycle state is analyzed. Thefluorescent intensity of DNA-bound PI correlates to the DNA content ofthe cell. This allows the cell population in G1 phase (diploid-2n), G₂Mphase (4n), or S phase (2n-4n) to be differentiated by plotting ahistogram of the PI fluorescence versus cell counts (linear scale). G1and G2M can be seen as distinct peaks, with the S phase shown as thepopulation between these two peaks. Apoptotic cells are hypo-diploid(pre-G1) and have a low PI fluorescence due to DNA fragmentation[Riccardi, C.; Nicoletti, I., Analysis of apoptosis by propidium iodidestaining and flow cytometry. Nature protocols 2006, 1 (3), 1458-1461].

To study cell cycle stage, adherent and detached cells were collected bytrypsinization and centrifuged at 800×g for 15 min. Cells were washedtwice with ice-cold PBS and fixed with slow addition of ice-cold 70%ethanol overnight at −20° C. Fixed cells were centrifuged at 800×g for15 min and the pellet was re-suspended in 400 μL PBS and transferred toLP5 FACS tubes then stained with 50 μg/mL of PI, containing 50 μg/mL ofDNase-free RNase A (to degraded any double strand RNA present), at 37°C. for 30 min. The DNA content of cells (10,000 cells/experimentalgroup) was analyzed by flow cytometer at 488 nm using a FACSCalibur flowcytometer (BD Biosciences, San Jose, Calif.).

Example 27

Apoptosis Detection by Caspase 3 Activity

The caspase family of cysteine proteases is important regulators in theapoptosis. Caspase 3 belongs to the effector (caspase 3, 6, and 7) classof proteases and it is a key protease that is activated during earlystages of apoptosis. Like other proteases, caspase 3 is present in thecell as inactive zymogens that can be activated through proteolyticprocessing at conserved aspartic residue. The activated caspase 3 is amarker for cell apoptosis that proteolytically cleaves and activatesother caspases and intracellular targets [Patel, T.; Gores, G. J.;Kaufmann, S. H., The role of proteases during apoptosis. FASEB journal:official publication of the Federation of American Societies forExperimental Biology 1996, 10 (5), 587-97]. FITC conjugated activecaspase-3 antibody (BD biosciences, USA) was used to detect the activeform of caspase 3 in the cells undergoing apoptosis. Briefly, cells wereplated in a 6-well culture plate at a density of 0.5×10⁶ cells andharvested after 24 hours of incubation with the inhibitor treatment. Thecollected cells were washed twice in cold 1×PBS and then re-suspended ina 0.5 mL BD Cytofix/Cytoperm solution followed by 20 min incubation onice. After incubation, cells were washed twice in a BD Perm/Wash buffer(1×) and cells were labelled with 5 μL of FITC rabbit anti-caspase 3antibodies. The labelled cells were washed again with wash buffer andre-suspended in a 0.5 mL buffer and analyzed by acquiring a minimum of5000 events on the FACS Aria III cell analyzer and sorter.

Example 28

Cytotoxic Assays Against Cancer Cell Lines: Results

The compounds were screened for their anticancer activities againstvariety of cell lines. Results are illustrated in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Test of KAC compounds on breast cancer cells (MCF7), stomachcancer cells (N87), colon cancer cells (HCT116), and leukemia cells(HL60) IC₅₀ (μM) Compound N87 HL60 HCT116 MCF7 KAC-01 >50 18.83 29.28KAC-02 9.481 KAC-03 18.16 4.764 3.500 KAC-04 >50 >50 KAC-05 >50 44.25KAC-06 >50 30.59 34.85 KAC-07 >50 >50 KAC-08 >50 19.68 2.629 KAC-097.241 >50 37.01 KAC-10 22.67 KAC-12 5.276 3.744 16.75 47.72 KAC-13 18.973.222 KAC-14 >50 >50 >50 KAC-15 >50 KAC-16 >50 KAC-17 25.86 KAC-18 23.89

Example 29

Structure Activity Relationship (SAR) Analysis Based on the IC₅₀ Data

Structurally, compounds KAC-01 to KAC-13 share a common scaffold that isdiversified only in one position, the para amide group. The diversityamong this subset can be generally fallen into three substructuregroups: aliphatic amide (KAC-01 and KAC-09); aromatic amides with abulky substituent (KAC-2 to KAC-7); and aromatic amides with a smallersubstituent (KAC-08 to KAC-13). Compounds from KAC-15 to KAC-18 areanalogues of KAC-12.

KAC-14 (no amide on the para position) did not affect any of the testedcell lines while simple acetylation (KAC-01) exhibited significantinhibition of HCT116 (18.8 μM) and MCF7 (29.28 This highlighted thenecessity of the acyl group for inducing any anticancer activities.Increasing the aliphatic chain of the acyl group in KAC-01 from onecarbon (acetyl) to two carbons (propanoyl, KAC-09) increased thecytotoxic activities against N87 (7.2 μM) but decreased activitiesagainst breast cancer MCF7 cell lines (37 μM).

The presence of aromatic amide in the studied para position boosted theactivities variably depending on the cell lines as well as thesubstituents. The unsubstituted benzoyl derivative KAC-08 exerted highinhibitory potency against breast cancer (2.6 μM) but was less active(19.7 μM) against colon cancer, and much weaker against stomach cancer.Substitution on the benzoyl group impacted cytotoxic activities. Forinstance, substantial (bulkier) substitutions (KAC-3) showed higheractivity against HCT116 (4.8 μM) and MCF7 (3.5 μM) but not N87 celllines. While smaller substitutions, e.g. KAC-12, exhibited greateractivity against N87 (5.3 μM) but was weaker against breast and coloncancer cell lines.

Among the aforementioned compounds, KAC-12 was screened further againstleukemia cell lines that are dependent on Src for proliferation [Li, S.,Src kinase signaling in leukaemia. The international journal ofbiochemistry & cell biology 2007, 39 (7-8), 1483-1488]. The survival ofleukemia cell lines HL60 as well as the stomach tumor cell lines N87 waseffectively inhibited by KAC-12 (IC₅₀ values were determined to be 3.7and 5.2 μM, respectively). However, this compound was less effectiveagainst HCT116 cell lines (16.7 μM).

Due to confirmed anticancer activities of KAC-12, we studied analoguesof this compound by keeping the meta-chlorobenzoyl moiety anddiversified the N-benzyl group (the right side of the molecule) in orderto increase potency against colon cancer cell lines (KAC 15 to KAC 18).The results suggested that there is no gained benefit and the N-benzylgroup is not an attractive position for SAR studies. This N-benzylsensitivity is in agreement with previous finding of the N-benzylposition of the biphenyl KX series [Smolinski, M. P.; Bu, Y.; Clements,J.; Gelman, I. H.; Hegab, T.; Cutler, D. L.; Fang, J. W. S.; Fetterly,G.; Kwan, R.; Barnett, A.; Lau, J. Y. N.; Hangauer, D. G., Discovery ofNovel Dual Mechanism of Action Src Signaling and Tubulin PolymerizationInhibitors (KX2-391 and KX2-361). Journal of medicinal chemistry 2018,61 (11), 4704-4719; and Hangauer, Jr. D. G., Compositions for treatingcell proliferation disorders, U.S. Pat. No. 7,300,931 B2].

Example 30

Mechanism of Cytotoxic Activities of KAC-12 on Leukemia H-60 Cells: CellCycle Analysis

In order to understand the mechanism of action of KAC-12 we performedcell cycle analysis of Hoechst 33342 stained HL-60 cells by flowcytometry. HL-60 cells were first incubated with the IC₅₀ dose and2×IC50 doses of KAC-12 for 24 h (FIG. 7). Treatment with KAC-12 led toarrest of cells in G2/M phase. KAC-12 at 3.74 μM led to about 5-foldincrease in the cells in G2/M stage as compared to control. At 7.48KAC-12 leads to 6-fold increase in the G2/M cells. This activity ofKAC-12 is mediated by its anti-tubulin polymerization properties.

Example 31

Mechanism of Cytotoxic Activities of KAC-12 on Leukemia HL-60 Cells:Apoptosis Test

HL-60 cells are known to be dependent on src kinases fordifferentiation. Inhibition of Src kinase mediated activation of STAT3leads to apoptosis in HL-60 cells. We therefore performed apoptosisassay to detect caspase-3activity (FIG. 8). Treatment of HL-60 cellswith 3.74 μM and 7.49 μM of KAC-12, respectively led to a 3-foldincrease in the cells undergoing apoptosis as compared to the basalapoptosis in HL-60 cells.

Example 32

Mechanism of Cytotoxic Activities of KAC-03 on Colon Cancer HT116 Cells

In general, G2/M cell cycle arrest is strongly associated withinhibition of tubulin polymerization. The effect of KX-01 analogue,KAC-3, was investigated with colon cancer HCT-116 cells by flowcytometry at two concentrations (5 μM and 10 μM) for 24 and 48 hours. Asshown in FIGS. 9 and 10, it was clearly demonstrated that KAC-3 caused asignificant G2/M arrest in a time- and concentration-dependent mannerconsistent with the behavior of the tubulin targeting agents. Thepercentage of cells in G2/M phase after 24 h was 13.3% and 41.7% atconcentrations of 5 μM and 10 respectively compared to the control(9.0%) (see FIG. 9). Moreover, there was an increase in the number ofcells in G2/M phase after 48 h with 30.7 and 32.8% at concentrations of5 μM and 10 μM, respectively with a concomitant decrease of cells inGO/G1 phase (FIG. 10). After 48 h, there was an increase of apoptosis asindicated by the population in the sub-G1 phase with 8.7 and 11.6% atconcentrations of 5 μM and 10 μM, respectively compared to the control(0.9%). The cell cycle analysis results for KAC-3 are typical fortubulin targeting agents, which characteristically cause G2/M blockadefollowed by apoptosis [Perez, E. A., Microtubule inhibitors:Differentiating tubulin-inhibiting agents based on mechanisms of action,clinical activity, and resistance. Molecular cancer therapeutics 2009, 8(8), 2086-2095]. These finding are in agreement from the novel dualinhibitor of Src and tubulin KX-01 that induced significant G2M phasearrest in MDA-MB-231 and BT-549 and MDA-MB-468 cells [Kim, S.; Min, A.;Lee, K.-H.; Yang, Y.; Kim, T.-Y.; Lim, J. M.; Park, S. J.; Nam, H.-J.;Kim, J. E.; Song, S.-H.; Han, S.-W.; Oh, D.-Y.; Kim, J. H.; Kim, T.-Y.;Hangauer, D.; Lau, J. Y.-N.; Im, K.; Lee, D. S.; Bang, Y.-J.; Im, S.-A.,Antitumor Effect of KX-01 through Inhibiting Src Family Kinases andMitosis. Cancer research and treatment: official journal of KoreanCancer Association 2017, 49 (3), 643-655; and Anbalagan, M.; Carrier,L.; Glodowski, S.; Hangauer, D.; Shan, B.; Rowan, B. G., KX-01, a novelSrc kinase inhibitor directed toward the peptide substrate site,synergizes with tamoxifen in estrogen receptor a positive breast cancer.Breast cancer research and treatment 2012, 132 (2), 391-409]. Paclitaxeland imatinib (both positive controls at 1 μM) have shown a gradualincrease in apoptosis of 7.7% (FIG. 11) and 6.4% (FIG. 12), respectivelyat 48 h with no significant difference in the other cell cycle phases asG2/M phase or GO/G1 arrest [Lv, C.; Qu, H.; Zhu, W.; Xu, K.; Xu, A.;Jia, B.; Qing, Y.; Li, H.; Wei, H. J.; Zhao, H. Y., Low-Dose PaclitaxelInhibits Tumor Cell Growth by Regulating Glutaminolysis in ColorectalCarcinoma Cells. Frontiers in pharmacology 2017, 8, 244].

Example 33

New derivatives of 4-(acylamino)-N-benzylphenylacetamide as apharmacophore for developing novel anticancer agents are presentedherein using rational design (Scaffold Hopping) (see FIG. 1). Thecompounds showed cytotoxic activities against a variety of cancer celllines such as N87 (Stomach cancer), HCT116 (Colon cancer), and HL60(Leukemia).

The disclosure introduces new chemical compounds to inhibit cancer cellgrowth which can be further developed for clinical applications in thetreatment of several types of solid and liquid tumors. These compoundsaffect cell division at the mitosis stage and also promote apoptoticcell death. Therefore, it is likely that the compounds function duallyvia inhibitions of both Src kinase and tubulin.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A pharmaceutical composition having anantiproliferative effect on leukemia cells, stomach cancer cells, breastcancer cells and/or colon cancer cells, comprising: at least onecompound selected from the group consisting of

and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or excipient.
 2. Thepharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the pharmaceuticallyacceptable carrier and/or excipient is at least one selected from thegroup consisting of a buffer, an inorganic salt, a fatty acid, avegetable oil, a synthetic fatty ester, a surfactant, and a polymer. 3.The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, which comprises 0.1-90 wt %of the compound relative to a total weight of the pharmaceuticalcomposition.